Bladder Senna
Colutea arborescens
Washington State Classification
Monitor List
This plant is on the monitor list - it is not a listed noxious weed in Washington.
Quick Reference
Identification
Growth Habit
Bladder senna is a deciduous shrub that grows up to ~13 feet (4 meters) tall.
Leaves
Deciduous leaves are alternately arranged and compound, up to 6 inches long and sparsely hairy. Leaflets range from 7-13 and are oval to broadly oval and have smooth margrins.
Flowers
Flowers are in clusters (racemes) up to 5 inches long and are generally comprised of 6-8 flowers. Flowers are yellow to deep yellow and up to 3/4 inch (2 cm) long.
Fruit & Seeds
Flowers develop greatly inflated seed pods that are typically up to 3 inches (5-8 cm) in length.
Impact
This plant is on the monitor list - it is not a listed noxious weed in Washington. Please contact the noxious weed control board via noxiousweeds@agr.wa.gov to report locations or for more information.
Ecology & Spread
Habitat
So far in Washington, bladder senna is known only to occur in 3 counties: Klickitat, Okanogan and Spokane. Bladder senna is also noted to be invasive in some upper Midwest states in the U.S. It can be found growing in woodlands, disturbed areas, grasslands and roadsides.
Spread Mechanisms
Reproduction
Seed. Can spread from cuttings, but generally not very well.
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