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Sicklepod

Senna obtusifolia

In the Carolinas and Georgia, found in fields (especially soybean fields), disturbed areas. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition What its natural habitat tells you

-30
Harmful

Not native to Arkansas. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 76%

Height
2–5 feet
Spread
2–5 feet
Light
Full sun
Soil moisture
Somewhat dry to moist
See native alternatives

Do not plant. Listed invasive in Arkansas.

Plant this instead

Choose your county to list local plants first.

  • Carolina Rose
    Rosa carolina

    Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Dry to moist. Flowers: Pink or white.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

  • St. Andrew's-cross
    Hypericum hypericoides

    Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Yellow.

    Similar growth form, height, flower color

  • Shrubby St. John's-wort
    Hypericum prolificum

    Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Yellow.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

Refine these alternatives in the finder

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At a glance

Life cycle
Annual
Bloom
July to September
Fruiting season
August to November

Not yet recorded · Leaves

Recorded in 32 Arkansas counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

17CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including AR

Genus host records with ranges including AR · Cassia

  • Phoebis sennaeCloudless Sulphur
  • Abaeis mexicanaMexican Yellow, Wolf-Face Yellow
  • Abaeis nicippeSleepy Orange, Sleepy Yellow, Erratic Orange
  • Amyelois transitellaNavel Orangeworm
  • Automeris ioIo Moth
  • Choristoneura obsoletanaObsolete Leafroller
  • Colias eurythemeOrange Sulphur, Alfalfa Butterfly
  • Epargyreus clarusSilver-Spotted Skipper
  • Eumarozia malachitanaSculptured Moth
  • Gesta funeralisFunereal Duskywing
Show all 17
  • Lesmone detrahensDetracted Owlet
  • Pleuroprucha insulsariaCommon Tan Wave
  • Pyrisitia lisaLittle Yellow, Little Sulphur, Lisa Yellow
  • Selenisa sueroidesTailpipes, Pale-Edged Selenisa Moth
  • Trichordestra legitimaStriped Garden Caterpillar Moth
  • Uresiphita reversalisGenista Caterpillar, Genista Cbroom Moth
  • Zale lunataLunate Zale
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
2BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Cassia

  • Pipilo maculatusSpotted Towhee
  • Zonotrichia leucophrysWhite-crowned Sparrow
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

Direct food only: birds recorded eating this genus across North America. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Fabaceae
Hardiness
Zones 5a–10b
Flower color
Yellow
Fruit begins
August
Fruit ends
November

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Cassia obtusifolia; Coffeeweed; Java Bean Senna

Conservation status

Arkansas rankSNR
Global rankG5
AR statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Sources