Description
Senna nitida, commonly known as Cassia nitida, the Bright Green Cassia, or the Spanish senna, is a species of flowering tree in the Fabaceae family. The tree is native to South and Central America, particularly in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
This medium-sized tree thrives in subtropical and tropical climates and prefers well-draining soils that are nutrient-rich. The Senna Nitida (Cassia Nitida) tree can grow up to 30 feet in height, with a broad, spreading canopy that can reach up to 20 feet wide. It is a fast-growing, evergreen tree with a round, open crown that makes it an excellent choice for ornamental landscaping.
Flowering and Foliage
The Senna Nitida (Cassia Nitida) has a rough, grayish-brown trunk with shallow fissures that is often short and sturdy. Its branches are slender, and the tree produces numerous leaflets that are bright green and pinnately compound. The leaves are glossy and measure between 1 and 2 inches long, with each leaflet being about 0.4 inches wide.
Also, the Cassia nitida (also known as Senna nitida or Bright Green Cassia) has beautiful yellow flowers with five petals and a diameter of about an inch. The flowering season, from late winter to early spring, may produce a magnificent show of color as the flowers grow in large clusters of 2 to 3 inches in length.
Following the flowering season, the tree produces long, narrow seed pods that are green at first, then turn brown as they mature. When ripe, the seed pods, which can reach a length of 6 inches, split open to reveal a number of brown, oval seeds.
Soil Type and Plant Requirements
Cassia nitida (also known as Senna nitida or Bright Green Cassia) is a low-maintenance tree that is relatively easy to grow, making it a popular choice for homeowners and landscapers. Once grown, it tolerates drought and uses minimal water. The tree’s resistance to pests and diseases makes it a great option for those who want to use fewer chemical fungicides and pesticides.
The Senna Nitida (Senna nitida or Brilliant Green Cassia) tolerates a wide variety of light conditions but grows best in full sun to moderate shade. Yet, when grown in full sun, it typically produces more flowers and has a denser canopy.
Landscape Applications
Senna Nitida, also known as Bright Green Cassia, is a versatile tree that may be used in a range of landscape projects, from private gardens to public parks and streetscapes. It is a great choice for Florida’s subtropical climate due to its tolerance to a wide range of growing conditions and low maintenance needs.
It’s a popular tree in South Florida for landscaping, and it looks great as a specimen tree in a lawn, garden, park, or along street sides. Other Sennas in TreeWorld that might interest you: Senna Polyphylla (Desert Cassia) and Senna surattensis (Cassia Surattensis)
Senna Nitida (Cassia Nitida) in Florida
The Miami Beach Botanical Garden is home to some of Florida’s most well-known Cassia Nitida (Senna Nitida) trees. The 30-foot-tall and 30-foot-wide tree, which is over 50 years old, is a popular spot for tourists to take pictures. And Pinecrest Gardens in Miami-Dade County is also the site of another notable Senna Nitida tree. This particular tree is over 100 years old and perhaps one of the largest and oldest trees in the region.
