Wild Senna.Cassia Marilandica.
Found in rich ground by the wayside, in July and August.
The smooth, tough stalk, growing from 3 to 4 feet high, is light green in color.
The compound leaf has from 6 to 9 pairs of narrow oblong leaflets; the midrib of each leaflet extends a little beyond the margin at the tip of the blade; the surface is smooth, and the texture firm and fine. The foot-stems of the leaves show the gland-like swellings frequently seen in members of this family. The leaves are alternate, and green in color, tending toward yellow-green, lighter beneath.
The flower has 5 slightly unequal petals, 3 standing close together, and 2 spreading more widely, while the calyx has 5 long divisions turned backward; there are 10 stamens in 3 sets—one set of 3 is short and rounded at the tip, a second set of 4, opposite the first, is somewhat longer, while the third set of 3 is longer still. The petals and stamens are of a rich soft yellow, the latter being tipped with a very dark brown, while the calyx is a fine greenish-yellow. The blossoms are in loose clusters, on short flower-stems, from the angles of the upper leaves.
The fineness of texture, and the quality of color, accentuated by the irregular dashes of dark of the stamen-tips, give to the Wild Senna the distinguishing air of “style.” The leaves seem slightly sensitive to the touch, and inclined to droop with much handling.