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Buttercup Bush

Senna multiglandulosa (previously Cassia multiglandulosa)

$15.00

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Commonly known as glandular senna, downy senna, or buttercup bush, this pea-family evergreen nitrogen fixer is native to the humid highlands of Mexico, Guatemala, and western parts of South America. Typically growing to height of up to 4 m, this shrub has pinnate leaves, and masses of attractive bright yellow flowers in late winter, which are glossy like buttercups. These are followed by dramatic long brown seedpods in autumn.

Deep root 11cm pot

Photos: Kahikatea Farm

Cultivation

Surprisingly, given its origins, Buttercup Bush does well in a variety of environments – it tolerates a wide variety of soils including sand and clay, also both humid and semi-arid environments, and mature plants can survive frosts and light freezes. Even small plants tolerate light frosts here in Hawke’s Bay. Like many nitrogen fixers, this shrub does require full sun.

Uses

Some sources state the flowers are edible and are used in stews in their native region. The roots, stems and leaves are used for dyes, and the branches are often used for basket making.

The plant fixes nitrogen in symbiosis with bacteria in its root nodules. It has a lot of nitrogen-rich biomass and is a useful ‘chop and drop’ plant for creating nitrogen-rich mulch, or used as part of a timed pruning programme in syntropic agroforestry/food forests.

Medicinal Uses

Senna species are widely used in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America for their medicinal benefits. Some Senna species are well-known for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities with basis in traditional medicine to treat diabetes, microbial infections, malaria fever and other ailments. This species has been used to protect against fever, typhoid, and dysentery.

History / Folklore / Further Info

Senna is toxic to livestock.

Jo Says

We are making more and more use of this plant in our food forest. I do find it has a tendency to become top heavy and benefits from staking when young, but even plants which have fallen sideways or broken never seem the worse for wear, they just carry on growing away merrily! Upright plants do not cast heavy shade and can be easily grown above groundcovers and shrubs. I am starting to find it preferable to tagasaste/tree lucerne, filling the same function and position in time and space but providing more easy-to-cut, less woody material.

Shipping Advice

N.B. Shipping costs are added AFTER you have placed your order, you will then be emailed an invoice with bank details.

Smallest box rate:
This can fit up to 9 plants in 9cm pots.

Shipping a single tree can be expensive. We may be able to fit more in the box for the same price! See our shipping rates for single and multi tree boxes.

Combining sizes?
No problem, we will work out the best rate for you once you’ve placed your order.

Medical disclaimer

Jo has a passion for growing herbs but is not a qualified herbalist and has no medical background.

We are lucky to have Patricia Beagle working here at times, who is qualified, and some of her advice does appear on these pages, but herbs act differently for different people and can interact with other medicines. We therefore always recommend that you consult with your own qualified health-care practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing or on any medications.

Kahikatea Farm cannot take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants or a plant not having the effect it is reputed to have.