Senna covesii

Common Name: Desert Senna, Covesˊ Cassia
Oˊodham Name: koˊowĭ ta:tam Audio
Group: Shrubs － Desert

Description

Senna covesii is a persistent forb or small shrub having relatively large, elliptical leaves with a dull green color. Leaves are pinnately compound with 6 or 8 leaflets covered. Leaflets, stems, and flower buds all are covered by fine hairs. Flowers appear during the summer monsoon and have a sweet smell like bubble gum. Fruit are the typically long pod of a legume and containing numerous seeds, which are liberated after the pod dries and splits lengthwise. It grows in gravelly soils on hillsides and in alluvial fans at 1000 to 3000 ft elevation.

Senna covesii
leaves and flowers
Leaves
Leaflet
Flower buds
old flowers and buds
dehiscent fruit