Fabaceae / Leguminosae (Senna)

Protocol Information for:

Label_title:
Senna (hebecarpa)

Family Names:

Family Scientific Name:
Fabaceae / Leguminosae

Family Common Name:
Pea

Scientific Names:

Genus:
Senna

Species:
hebecarpa

Scientific Classification:

Scientific SubSpecies:

Species Authority:
(Fernald) Irwin & Barneby

Scientific SubAuthority:

Authors:

John Vandevender

Common Synonym:

Genus:

Species:

Synonym Classification:

Synonym SubSpecies:

Species Authority:

Synonym SubAuthority:

Other Information:

Common Name:
American senna

Species Code:
SEHE3

Ecotype:
Greenbrier River Source

General Distribution:
Common throughout the Eastern United States from Maine south to Georgia and westward to Illinois and Wisconsin.

Known Invasiveness:
None

Propagation Goal:
plants

Propagation Method:
seed

Product Type:
Container (plug)

Stock Type:
1+0 container plug

Grow Time:
6 Months

Target Specifications:
A well developed plant suitable for mechanical transplanting that has at least 6 inches of top growth and a dense, fibrous root system.

Propagation Collection:
Seed of Greenbrier River Source American senna was hand harvested from existing populations within the confines of the Appalachian Plant Materials Center in southeastern West Virginia.

Propagation Processing/Propagule Characteristics:
Seed is planted into round cell greenhouse flat liners with 38 cells per flat that have been filled with coarse processed bark and composted pine bark growing medium. Seed is surface sown at a rate of 3-5 seeds per cell and lightly covered with starter sized, 1/16" - 1/8" diameter, granite poultry grit to combat damping off diseases. Prepared flats are lightly hand watered to slightly moisten the growing medium and cold stratified at 35 degrees Fahrenheit for a minimum of 21 days.

Pre-Planting Propagule Treatments:

Growing Area Preparation / Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
Stratified seed is placed in a greenhouse maintained under natural lighting and at a minimum temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Soil moisture is maintained during germination by an automatic overhead watering system set to cycle for 20 seconds every thirty minutes during daylight hours.

Establishment Phase:
Germination typically occurs 7 - 14 days after placement in the greenhouse.

Length of Establishment Phase:
7-14 days

Active Growth Phase:
After germination, seedlings are maintained in a greenhouse environment 3-6 months to promote development of a plug with at least 6 inches of top growth and a dense, fibrous root system suitable for mechanical transplanting.Watering is reduced to overhead hand watering once daily. seedlings receive a water soluble complete fertilizer bi-weekly until hardening.

Length of Active Growth Phase:
3-6 months

Hardening Phase:
Acclimation is typically accomplished through placement of seedlings outdoors in a protected location for a 2-4 week period prior to transplanting.

Length of Hardening Phase:
2-4 weeks

Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:

Length of Storage:

Guidelines for Outplanting / Performance on Typical Sites:

Other Comments:

References:
USDA, NRCS. 2015. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 2 September 2015). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

Citation:
Vandevender, John. 2015. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Senna hebecarpa (Fernald) Irwin & Barneby plants 1+0 container plug; USDA NRCS - Appalachian Plant Materials Center Alderson, West Virginia. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/07/16). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.

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