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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Senna obtusifolia''
| image = Sicklepod 5861.JPG
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''Senna obtusifolia'' showing the sickle-shaped seed pods
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Fabales]]
| familia = [[Fabaceae]]
| subfamilia = [[Caesalpinioideae]]
| tribus = [[Cassieae]]
| genus = ''[[Senna (genus)|Senna]]''
| species = '''''S. obtusifolia'''''
| binomial = ''Senna obtusifolia''
| binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]) [[Howard Samuel Irwin|H.S.Irwin]] & [[Rupert Charles Barneby|Barneby]]
}}
'''''Senna obtusifolia''''' ([[synonymy|syn.]] ''Cassia obtusifolia'' L., ''Cassia tora'', ''Emelista tora'') is a plant in the genus ''[[Senna (genus)|Senna]]''. It is also known as '''foetid cassia''', '''sickle senna''', '''Chinese senna''', '''sicklepod''', '''sickle-pod''', '''sickle pod''', '''coffee weed''', '''coffeeweed''', '''coffee pod''', '''coffee-pod''', '''java bean''', '''java-bean''', or '''arsenic weed'''. It grows wild in [[North America|North]], [[Central America|Central]], and [[South America]], [[Asia]], [[Africa]], and [[Oceania]], and is considered a particularly serious [[weed]] in many places.
The species's name comes from the [[Latin language|Latin]] ''obtus'' ("dull or blunt"), and ''folium'' ("leaf"). Its leaves, seeds, and root are used medicinally, primarily in [[Asia]]. It is believed to possess a [[laxative]] effect, as well as to be beneficial for the eyes.
The plant's seeds are a source of [[cassia gum]], a food additive usually used as a thickener. As a folk remedy, the seeds are often roasted, then boiled in water to produce a tea. Roasted and ground, the seeds have also been used as a substitute for [[coffee]].
<gallery>
Image:Senna‗obtusifolia.jpg|Senna obtusifolia
Image:Senna‗obtusifolia-01.jpg|Leaves
Image:Senna‗obtusifolia-02.jpg|Stem
</gallery>
===Other names===
*[[Chinese language|Chinese]]: [[pinyin]]: ''jué míng zi'' ([[Traditional Chinese character|traditional]]: {{lang|zh-Hant|決明子}}; [[Simplified Chinese character|simplified]]: {{lang|zh-Hans|决明子}})
*[[Japanese language|Japanese]]: ''ebisu-gusa'', {{lang|ja|夷草}}
*[[Korean language|Korean]]: ''gyeolmyeongja'' ([[hangul]]: {{lang|ko-Hang|결명자}}; [[hanja]]: {{lang|ko-Hant|決明子}})
*[[Portuguese (language)|Portuguese]]:''fedegoso''
*[[Turkish language|Turkish]]:''sinameki''
==See also==
*[[Cassia (genus)]]
*[[Senna (herb)]]
==External links==
*[http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?100044 Germplasm Resources Information Network: ''Senna obtusifolia'']
*[http://www.e2121.com/herb_db/viewherb.php3?viewid=71&setlang= Cassia Seed page] from ENaturalHealthCenter.com site
*[http://www.missouriplants.com/Yellowalt/Cassia_obtusifolia_page.html Photos] from Missouriplants.com site
*[http://www.chinese-poems.com/d23.html Ancient Chinese poem about ''Senna obtusifolia'']
[[Category:Caesalpinioideae]]
[[Category:Dietary supplements]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Herbs]]
[[Category:Invasive plant species]]
{{Caesalpinioideae-stub}}
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Senna obtusifolia''
| image = Sicklepod 5861.JPG
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''Senna obtusifolia'' showing the sickle-shaped seed pods
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Fabales]]
| familia = [[Fabaceae]]
| subfamilia = [[Caesalpinioideae]]
| tribus = [[Cassieae]]
| genus = ''[[Senna (genus)|Senna]]''
| species = '''''S. obtusifolia'''''
| binomial = ''Senna obtusifolia''
| binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]) [[Howard Samuel Irwin|H.S.Irwin]] & [[Rupert Charles Barneby|Barneby]]
}}
'''''Senna obtusifolia''''' ([[synonymy|syn.]] ''Cassia obtusifolia'' L., ''Cassia tora'', ''Emelista tora'') is a plant in the genus ''[[Senna (genus)|Senna]]''. It is also known as '''foetid cassia''', '''sickle senna''', '''Chinese senna''', '''sicklepod''', '''sickle-pod''', '''sickle pod''', '''coffee weed''', '''coffeeweed''', '''coffee pod''', '''coffee-pod''', '''java bean''', '''java-bean''', or '''arsenic weed'''. It grows wild in [[North America|North]], [[Central America|Central]], and [[South America]], [[Asia]], [[Africa]], and [[Oceania]], and is considered a particularly serious [[weed]] in many places.
The species's name comes from the [[Latin language|Latin]] ''obtus'' ("dull or blunt"), and ''folium'' ("leaf"). Its leaves, seeds, and root are used medicinally, primarily in [[Asia]]. It is believed to possess a [[laxative]] effect, as well as to be beneficial for the eyes.
The plant's seeds are a source of [[cassia gum]], a food additive usually used as a thickener. As a folk remedy, the seeds are often roasted, then boiled in water to produce a tea. Roasted and ground, the seeds have also been used as a substitute for [[coffee]].
<gallery>
Image:Senna‗obtusifolia.jpg|Senna obtusifolia
Image:Senna‗obtusifolia-01.jpg|Leaves
Image:Senna‗obtusifolia-02.jpg|Stem
</gallery>
===Other names===
*[[Chinese language|Chinese]]: [[pinyin]]: ''jué míng zi'' ([[Traditional Chinese character|traditional]]: {{lang|zh-Hant|決明子}}; [[Simplified Chinese character|simplified]]: {{lang|zh-Hans|决明子}})
*[[Japanese language|Japanese]]: ''ebisu-gusa'', {{lang|ja|夷草}}
*[[Korean language|Korean]]: ''gyeolmyeongja'' ([[hangul]]: {{lang|ko-Hang|결명자}}; [[hanja]]: {{lang|ko-Hant|決明子}})
*[[Portuguese (language)|Portuguese]]:''fedegoso''
*[[Turkish language|Turkish]]:''sinameki''
==See also==
*[[Cassia (genus)]]
*[[Senna (herb)]]
==External links==
*[http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?100044 Germplasm Resources Information Network: ''Senna obtusifolia'']
*[http://www.e2121.com/herb_db/viewherb.php3?viewid=71&setlang= Cassia Seed page] from ENaturalHealthCenter.com site
*[http://www.missouriplants.com/Yellowalt/Cassia_obtusifolia_page.html Photos] from Missouriplants.com site
*[http://www.chinese-poems.com/d23.html Ancient Chinese poem about ''Senna obtusifolia'']
[[Category:Caesalpinioideae]]
[[Category:Dietary supplements]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Herbs]]
[[Category:Invasive plant species]]
{{Caesalpinioideae-stub}}
