Herbs, perennial, to 0.6–2 m. Leaves mesophyllous, 12–27 cm, finely hairy; stipules caducous; extrafloral nectary 1, base of or along petiole, sessile or shortly stipitate; leaflet pairs 5–9, blades elliptic, oblong-elliptic, or lanceolate, 30–60 × 9–24 mm. Racemes usually 5–15-flowered; bracts caducous. Pedicels 9–17 mm. Flowers mono­symmetric; calyx pinkish brown; corolla yellow, longest petal 8–14 mm; androecium heterantherous, stamens 7, staminodes 3; anthers of middle stamens 2.6–3.5 mm, of abaxial stamens 4–5 mm, truncate, dehiscing by 2 pores, apical appendage 0; gynoecium incurved, ovules 20–28; ovary glabrous or slightly hairy; style incurved, not dilated. Legumes ascending, flat, curved downward, 65–110 × 7.5–11 mm, corrugated over seeds, tardily dehiscent, each seed compartment wider than long. Seeds dark reddish brown, obovoid or oblong-obovoid. 2n = 28.

Phenology: Flowering mid summer–early fall.
Habitat: Open woodlands, valley floors, creek banks, swamps, thickets, pastures.
Elevation: 0–500 m.

Distribution

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• Legacy Map

Ala., Ark., Calif., Conn., D.C., Fla., Ga., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Md., Mass., Miss., Mo., Nebr., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Okla., Pa., S.C., Tenn., Tex., Va., W.Va., Wis.

Discussion

Senna marilandica is introduced in southern California.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.