Cassia sieberiana

Why are the seeds of this species difficult? The seeds may have physical dormancy, which can be overcome by scarifying the seeds and rehydrating them slowly before germination.

Cassia sieberiana (Image: W. Stuppy, RBG Kew)

Seed Storage

This species has Orthodox seeds - dry to 15-20% eRH and store at -20ºC, or as cool as possible.

Germination Requirements

The seeds of this species are expected to be Physically Dormant.

It may be necessary to wash the seeds in 10% sodium hypochlorite solution for 5 mins before sowing, to prevent fungal contamination during germination. Scarify the seed coat with a file and re-hydrate in a 20°C incubator at 95% RH for 1 day. Germinate on agar, germination paper or sand at 20ºC.

Seed Morphology

See an image of this species at the Digital Atlas of Economic Plants.

Taxonomy

Family: LEGUMINOSAE-CAESALPINIOIDEAE

Accepted name: Cassia sieberiana DC.

Synonyms: Cassia kotschyana Oliv.

Common name: senna

References and Links

Baskin, C.C. and Baskin J.M. (1998). Seeds: ecology, biogeography, and evolution of dormancy and germination. Academic Press, USA.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (1994). Genebank Standards. FAO/IPGRI, Rome, Italy.

AFPD (African Flowering Plants Database) - Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de la Ville de Genève, Switzerland, and South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, RSA: Cassia sieberiana.
SID (Seed Information Database) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK: Cassia sieberiana.
Tropicos - Missouri Botanical Garden, USA: Cassia sieberiana.