Scientific Name
Cassia occidentalis (Senna occidentalis)
Common Name
Coffee senna, coffeeweed

TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.

Characteristics

Family
Fabaceae
Plant Description
Branched, annual herb; leaves alternate, pinnately divided, without a conspicuous gland at the base of the leaf stalk; leaflets of 4-5 pairs; stipules usually not persistent and not conspicuously striated; flowers yellow, 5-parted; fruit flattened.
Origin
Tropical America.
Distribution
Coastal Plain.
Where Found
Weedy in disturbed areas and waste areas, naturalized.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
All parts; seeds, roots, leaves, fruits.
Symptoms
Diarrhea, remors, dark brown urine.
Toxic Principle
Anthraquinones, emodin glycosides., toxalbumins, alkaloids.
Severity
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

Previous Species, Home, Next Species