Topic: senna

senna any plant of the genus Sennia (formerly placed in Cassia ), leguminous herbs, shrubs, and trees of the family Leguminosae ( pulse family), most common in warm regions. Some species are cultivated for ornament, but sennas are best known as medicinal plants. The dried leaves are used as a purgative and are chiefly obtained from S. acutifolia (Alexandria senna) and S. angustifolia (Indian senna); both trees are cultivated especially in S India. The wild senna ( S. marylandica ), a perennial of the E United States, has been similarly used. Golden shower ( S. fistula )... Read more