Maryland senna is a herbaceous perennial in the Fabaceae (pea) family native to moist forested areas and disturbed sites in eastern North America. This is a striking plant while in bloom and has attractive foliage. The showy yellow flowers develop and grow into dark brown seedpods that attract birds and add winter interest to the garden. Maryland senna is virtually indistinguishable from the american senna, except when they produce ripe seeds. The seedpods of the maryland senna remain tightly closed until the end of the season, whereas the american senna plant readily opens its pods and allows the seeds to fall out. Maryland senna do well in partial to full sun, and moist to mesic conditions. A rich loamy soil is preferred, although sandy and rocky soils are also tolerated. It doesn't mind an occasional flooding. This plant can become quite tall when the soil is fertile and moist. It may flop over while the flowers and seedpods are developing. This plant is drought tolerant once established. Once the seeds appear, it is easy to propagate by seeds or by the division of roots in the early spring or fall. Full sun aids in better flowering. The Maryland senna is a host plant for various Sulphur butterflies including Cloudless sulpher ( phoebis sennae ) , Orange-barred sulpher ( phoebis philea ), Tailed orange ( Colias eurytheme ) , Little yellow ( Eurema lisa ) , and Sleepy orange ( Abaeis nicippe ) Butterflies. Before the butterflies emerge, foliage and flower buds are often eaten by the caterpillars. The seeds may be eaten by some upland gamebirds as well, particularly quail and dove. The Cherokee and other peoples use the root of the plant to treat high fevers, a worm remedy, treat fainting spells and pneumonia. The Maryland senna is most often found on riverbanks, in moist meadows, pastures, and roadsides. Some disturbance of the plant location is beneficial to allow it to grow without it being overtaken by other trees and shrubs. Occasionally, Maryland senna is found in flower gardens because of its showy flowers and leaves that give it a tropical feel. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Foliage and flower buds are often eaten by the caterpillars of the Cloudless sulpher Butterfly. Otherwise, they have no serious insect problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Wet
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Rounded
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Oblong
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The dull green leaves are pinnate and composed of 6-12 pairs of oval leaflets.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Panicle; Raceme
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Butter yellow, not typical pea-like flowers, raceme or panicle of flowers 1/2"-1" long. Flowers have 5 yellow sepals, 5 yellow petals, 10 dark brown stamens. Petals whiten as they age from mid- to late summer. There is no floral scent.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit color
Black; Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Legume
Fruit size
> 3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Flattened pods 4" long 1/2" wide, dark brown at maturity with 10-18 segments each containing a seed.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Light green stout central stem, slightly hairy in the upper stem
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Northern America
Distribution
From Massachusetts and New York to the south of Florida, west through Texas
Wildlife value
Bumblebees are attracted to pollen. Birds enjoy the seeds particularly quail and dove. Larval host plant of various types of Sulphur butterflies. Insects like ladybird beetles, ants and flies eat the nectar at the glands found at the base of the petioles because the flowers are nectar-less.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies
Host plant for
various types of Sulphur butterflies
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Winter
Fruit type
Legume
Uses (ethnobotany)
In the 9th century, Arab physicians used to brew the leaves to make a cathartic tea. The leaves and seeds are used today as a laxative. The Cherokee and other peoples use the root of the plant to treat high fevers, a worm remedy, treat fainting spells and to treat pneumonia.