Practical
Plants

Colutea arborescens

Bladder Senna

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Colutea genus in the family Leguminosae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Colutea
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
3.6 m
Spread
3 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The seed is poisonous[14][11].

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves are diuretic and purgative[10][14]. The leaves are sometimes used as a substitute for senna as a laxative, though they are much milder in their action[10]. The plant is rather unreliable when used medicinally so is rarely employed in herbalism[14]. The seeds are emetic[10]. They are also toxic[14].

Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Purgative

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plants have an extensive root system and are used to stabilize banks and prevent soil erosion[9]. Can be grown as a hedge[9].

Environment

Range
S. Europe - Mediterranean. Naturalized in Britain[6].
Habitat
Open woods, roadsides, railway banks etc[14], often on calcareous soils[13].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, drought
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - pre-soak for 24 hours in hot water and sow late winter in a greenhouse[4]. Scarification can help speed up the germination process[5]. Germination can be slow and erratic[9], though treated seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 20°c[5]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[12]. Cuttings are not very long-lived[12].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily grown plant, it tolerates most soil conditions other than a water-logged soil[3]. Prefers a position in full sun but tolerates light shade[3]. Grows well on dry sunny banks[1][7]. Dislikes strong winds, though another report in the same book says that it tolerates salt-laden winds[9]. In our experience the plants are very subject to wind-rock when grown in a windy site[K]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[7][9]. A fast growing plant, thriving on poor soils[7][9]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[8][9]. Slugs love the young seedlings[K]. Flowers are produced on the current season's growth[7][9]. These flowers are very attractive to bees[2]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[9]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[9].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. 1981-00-00

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  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

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  5. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  6. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  7. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

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  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  10. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

  12. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  13. Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1

    ↩

  14. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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