It’s a little bit of a leap from talking about a plant in the aster family to talking about Senna in the pea family. It’s the way my mind was working at the time I guess.
Senna species are found around the world. If you were to purchase the herb senna in a store or online it would probably be derived from Senna acutifolia, native to Sudan, Egypt and cultivated in parts of India. Our native sennas are also medicinal, though the strength may vary from species to species. Writing about slenderpod senna (or slimpod senna, but always Senna hirstua var. glaberrima), herbalist Michael Moore says “First, last, always, a laxative.” And friend Charlie Kane writes of the same species, “Senna is a straightforward stimulant laxative.” Now you know. And, native sennas are in the horticulture trade, as in at your favorite native plant nursery. Cool!
The photo in mine and yes, taken at our home.
