Senna artemisioides subsp. × artemisioides

Botanical Name

Senna artemisioides (de Candolle) Randell subsp. × artemisioides

Common Name(s)

  • feathery cassia
  • silver cassia

Synonyms

Parent Species

Senna artemisioides

Legume Clades

Caesalpinioideae , Cassieae , Senna

Native Geographic Range

  • Australia

IUCN Status

Growth Form

shrub

Cultivation Status in AZ

Commonly cultivated

Description

Evergreen plants to 6.5 ft (2 m) high with gray bark that becomes slightly rough with age. Leaves are dull green to silvery and are once-pinnate with 3--8 pairs of slender leaflets. Masses of yellow flowers are produced in late winter and early spring.

Habitat

Native to Australia where it is widespread in inland areas in desert, grassland, and woodland habitats.

Uses

Browsed to some extent by cattle, sheep, and goats.

Horticulture

Feathery cassia is planted for its masses of showy flowers and evergreen foliage. It can be grown as an informal hedge. Growth rate is moderate to fast with irrigation. Established plants are drought tolerant. Plants are hardy to 19° F (-7° C). It is sometimes killed by severe freezes. Caution should be used when planting this plant due to potential issues with invasiveness, particularly near natural areas.