Colutea arborescens
Bladder Senna

Uses

Toxic parts

The seed is poisonous^[1]^[2].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Colutea arborescens.

Material uses

The plants have an extensive root system and are used to stabilize banks and prevent soil erosion^[3]. Can be grown as a hedge^[3].

There are no material uses listed for Colutea arborescens.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The leaves are diuretic and purgative^[4]^[1]. The leaves are sometimes used as a substitute for senna as a laxative, though they are much milder in their action^[4]. The plant is rather unreliable when used medicinally so is rarely employed in herbalism^[1]. The seeds are emetic^[4]. They are also toxic^[1].

Unknown part

Diuretic

Emetic

Purgative

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Hedge

Earth stabiliser

Nitrogen fixer

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 24 hours in hot water and sow late winter in a greenhouse^[5]. Scarification can help speed up the germination process^[6]. Germination can be slow and erratic^[3], though treated seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 20°c^[6]. 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^[7]. Cuttings are not very long-lived^[7].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Colutea arborescens. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.

Cultivation

An easily grown plant, it tolerates most soil conditions other than a water-logged soil^[8]. Prefers a position in full sun but tolerates light shade^[8]. Grows well on dry sunny banks^[9]^[10]. Dislikes strong winds, though another report in the same book says that it tolerates salt-laden winds^[3]. In our experience the plants are very subject to wind-rock when grown in a windy site[K]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution^[10]^[3]. A fast growing plant, thriving on poor soils^[10]^[3].

Plants are hardy to about -20°c^[11]^[3]. Slugs love the young seedlings[K]. Flowers are produced on the current season's growth^[10]^[3]. These flowers are very attractive to bees^[12]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus^[3].

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^[3].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Colutea arborescens. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Colutea arborescens.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

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