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Senna surattensis

(Burm.f.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby (1982)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Fabales Family: Fabaceae Genus: Senna

kolomona, scrambled egg plant, scrambled eggs

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Small trees 3–6 m tall.

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves compound. Alternate. Leaves 8–18 cm long, leaflets 6–10 pairs, opposite, the distal ones larger and proportionately narrower, obovate to elliptic–obovate or oblanceolate, 2–5 cm long, 0.8–2 cm wide. Apex rounded, emarginate. Base obliquely rounded or cuneate. Upper surfaces green and usually glabrous; lower surfaces glaucous and sparsely appressed pubescent, especially along midrib. Leaflet margins entire. Petiolate, nectaries between the first, second, and sometimes third pairs of leaflets. Stipules linear–subulate, 4.5–13 mm long, caducous.

Flowers: Flowers in racemes 0.4–2.5 cm long. Flowers caesalpinaceous. Pedicels 15–25 mm long, bracts submembranous, ovate to lanceolate, 2–7 mm long, persistent until anthesis, then deciduous, the lowermost sometimes subtended by a clavate nectary; bracteoles absent. Calyx lobes oblanceolate to oblong–obovate, the outermost 3–4.4 mm long, inner ones 5.5–8 mm long, lobes 5, imbricate. Corolla of 5 petals, bright yellow or yellowish orange, ovate to oblong–ovate, the longest one 16–24 mm long. Fertile stamens 10, all nearly similar to one another, slightly increasing in size toward abaxial side of flower; filaments 9, 0.7–2 mm long, that of central abaxial stamen 1.5–3.5 mm long, straight, shorter than to not more than twice as long as the anthers; fertile anthers, basifixed, usually modified into sets of 4 median and abaxial anthers. Ovary superior.

Fruit: Pods pendulous; chartaceous; strongly compressed; 7–10 cm long; 1.1–1.5 cm wide; base constricted into a stipe 0.5–0.7 cm long; the cavity with narrow interseminal septa. Seeds oriented transversely in 1 row; compressed parallel to the valves; pale brown; glossy; oblong–ellipsoid; 5–6 mm long; the areole 2.7–3.6 mm long.

Ploidy: 2n = 28; 32; 56

Habitat: Cultivated; now persisting and at least sparingly naturalized in low elevation; disturbed areas.

Elevation Range: 15–100 m.

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

  • Yes

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Potentially naturalizing

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Notes

  • 15-100 m
  • Description digitized by Alyssa Larson
  • Description digitized from the Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii
  • native to Australia, cultivated in Hawaii as early as 1871

Bibliography

Name Published In: Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 35(1): 81 (1982)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:702 (K, O, M); Staples et al. 2002:11 (Mo); Staples & Herbst 2005:325 (KEY, DESCR [as subsp. surattensis]); Oppenheimer 2007:25 (L); Faccenda, Arthur, et al. 2025:183 (H)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Senna surattensis Kamehameha Highway Preserved_Specimen Roth, M. Oahu BISH
2 Senna surattensis Kamehameha Highway near Kaaawa, Oahu, Hawaii. Windward Oahu, in volcanic soil. Laie, Oahu, Hawaii Preserved_Specimen Buchanan, H. 575 Oahu BISH 1961-08-28
3 Senna surattensis Kolia, Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Octavio, A.M. Oahu BISH 1929-11-24
4 Senna surattensis Laniakea lawn Preserved_Specimen Garber, D.W. 8 Oahu BISH 1919-10-17
5 Senna surattensis unknown Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. BISH 1975-01-01
6 Senna surattensis unknown Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. BISH 1975-01-01
7 Senna surattensis unknown Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. BISH 1975-01-01
8 Senna surattensis unknown Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. BISH 1975-01-01
9 Senna surattensis unknown Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. BISH 1975-01-01
10 Senna surattensis Northern part of Kalepa Ridge Windward side of ridge. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1977-07-20
11 Senna surattensis Honolulu: Manoa Valley; University of Hawaii Manoa Campus; courtyard of St. John Hall Growing in partial shade. Preserved_Specimen Tree 4 m tall; petals are butercup yellow. Lau, J. 1193 Oahu BISH 1985-07-08
12 Senna surattensis Nuuanu Pali Dr. Near its intersection with the Pali Highway at the lower end of the road Several trees on side of road in sunny area Preserved_Specimen Local patch in sun on side of road Faccenda, K. 1895 Oahu BISH 2021-05-29
13 Senna surattensis Punaula Valley Wooded canyon bottom. Preserved_Specimen Bush 12ft high. St.John, H. 12831 Molokai BISH 1932-12-28
14 Senna surattensis East Maui, Muolea Point, Koali, Hana Disturbed Wet Lowland Preserved_Specimen Yellow flowers and seed pods Welton, P. 2229 Maui BISH 2006-04-24
15 Senna surattensis Chinaman's Hat (across from) Haole Koa, grasses, Naupaka, Soil sandy, common along highways and dry areas also called scrambled eggs Preserved_Specimen Schrub or small tree with yellow flowers Brandow, C.T. Oahu BISH 1967-01-01
16 Senna surattensis Laie, Hawaii Tropical and warm regions Preserved_Specimen Tree. Lavished with clumps of orange-yellow flowers Mackelprang, J. 427 Oahu BISH 1977-04-01
17 Senna surattensis Woods near Koele In alien forest of Eucalyptus and Falcataria. Preserved_Specimen Small trees or shrubs. Oppenheimer, H.L. 120648 Lanai BISH 2006-12-21
18 Senna surattensis Waikiki Ornamental shrub in yard. Preserved_Specimen Yellow. Baker, R.J. 128 Oahu BISH 1932-07-15
19 Senna surattensis Round Top-Tantalus Forest Reserve. Round Top Rd Disturbed roadside. Preserved_Specimen Tree to 4m; flowers yellow. Annable, C.R. 3191 Oahu BISH 1996-12-12
20 Senna surattensis Mapulehu Roadside. Preserved_Specimen Shrub; flowers bright yellow. Oppenheimer, H.L. 110136 Molokai BISH 2001-11-18
21 Senna surattensis Pearl City; Highlands Intermediate School Common ornamental growing in silty loam. Preserved_Specimen Shrub to 15' high; pinnate leaves, masses of yellow flowers, flat br. pods. Afualo, D. 13 Oahu BISH 1975-02-22
22 Senna surattensis Hulopoe Rocky gully. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 100637 Lanai BISH 2006-10-20
23 Senna surattensis Waipio Peninsula; Waipio, Pouhala Marsh between Kapakahi & Waikele Streams On dredged ruderal land adjacent to the marsh. Preserved_Specimen Small tree. Imada, C. 9617 Oahu BISH 1996-12-18
24 Senna surattensis University of Hawaii campus, Manoa Planted in a row. Preserved_Specimen Shrub-tree; flower yellow; fruit long pod. Hume, E.P. 59 Oahu BISH 1930-11-10
25 Senna surattensis Poipu, Waiohai ~25 acre vacent lot Preserved_Specimen 2 m tree; leaves tri-pinnate; flower yellow borne at tips; seed pod to 6 cm long, brown Dunn, L. 296 Kauai BISH 2003-10-02
26 Senna surattensis Mapulehu Valley Margin of cultivated field. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 12763 Molokai BISH 1932-12-28
27 Senna surattensis Along Hwy 46, along hwy 7mi E of Kaunakakai Found associated w. Prosopis, Lantana and grasses. Preserved_Specimen FLowers orange-yellow; fruits flat and narrow, 1/2 wide, 4-6 long, brown. Ishikawa, S. 139 Molokai BISH 1972-08-31
28 Senna surattensis East Maui, Hana District, Kalahu Point, PTBG Kahanu Garden, Along Honomaele Stream on the Garden's E boundary Preserved_Specimen Small tree of 15 ft. Leaves dark, dull green above, pale yellow green. Petals bright yellow. Flynn, T.W. 2450 Maui BISH 1987-10-15
29 Senna surattensis Coastal trail W of Hulopoe, near Kapihaa Bay. Preserved_Specimen Small trees and shrubs, flowers yellow. Oppenheimer, H.L. 91804 Lanai BISH 2018-09-27
30 Senna surattensis Kahana Bay, Laie, Hawaii. Abundant on hillsides Preserved_Specimen Tree. Lavish orange yellow flower, thin brown. Higuchi, G.T. 45 Oahu BISH 1971-05-07
31 Senna surattensis Koloa District: Kalaheo, near S end of Papalina Road, ca. 0.2 miles north of PTBG New Headquarters; secondary thicket along road Preserved_Specimen Shrub 3 m tall, petals deep yellow. Ripe fruits brown. Locally common, naturalized. Lorence, D.H. 5821 Kauai BISH 1988-02-21
32 Senna surattensis Kohala, Halaula, east of Kapaau, along road leading to lighthouse at Kauhola Pt. Secondary scrub, growing with lantana, Christmasberry, African tulip, papaya, etc. Most well-established population in the Kapaau vicinity. Preserved_Specimen Murray, C. Hawaii BISH 2006-04-26
33 Senna surattensis Abundant along roadsides, Moloaa Preserved_Specimen Shrub with bright yellow flowers, brown pods. Herbst, D.R. 1070 Kauai BISH 1968-04-21
34 Senna surattensis Aiea, -road W. of, roadside Preserved_Specimen Flower yellow Bryan Jr., E.H. 1281 Oahu BISH 1936-10-22
35 Senna surattensis Laie, Hawaii. Mormon Temple Preserved_Specimen Lavish with clumps of orange-yellow flowers. Lee, P. 13 Oahu BISH 1975-03-02
36 Senna surattensis Honolulu County. Kahuku Preserved_Specimen Tall shrub with compound prinnate leaves Guinto, J. 15 Oahu BISH 1986-02-04
37 Senna surattensis Moist, shaded gully, Makaiwa Preserved_Specimen Shrub with dark green foliage, bright orange-yellow flowers. Herbst, D.R. 860 Maui BISH 1968-01-06
38 Senna surattensis Vegetation on plots stripmined for bauxite ore in 1958-60. Tree plot area. Wailua Game Reserve, above Wailua, Hawaii Preserved_Specimen Shrub 4 m tall; flowers yellow. Howard, R.A. 20210 Kauai BISH 1985-10-20
39 Senna surattensis Scattered at roadside. Near Kealia Preserved_Specimen Small tree 12 ft., 3 in. diam., introduced. Little Jr., E.L. 31182 Kauai BISH 1976-09-02
40 Senna surattensis Kahuku Hospital Preserved_Specimen Small tree or shrub. Flowers in wide clusters, orange yellow. Utai, M. 832 Oahu BISH 1975-03-01
41 Senna surattensis Coastal trail W of Hulopoe, near Kapihaa Bay. Preserved_Specimen Small trees and shrubs, flowers yellow. Oppenheimer, H.L. 91804 Lanai BISH 2018-09-27
42 Senna surattensis Moist, shaded gully, Makaiwa Preserved_Specimen Shrub with dark green foliage, bright orange-yellow flowers. Herbst, D.R. 860 Maui BISH 1968-01-06
43 Senna surattensis Moist, shaded gully, Makaiwa Preserved_Specimen Shrub with dark green foliage, bright orange-yellow flowers. Herbst, D.R. 860 Maui BISH 1968-01-06
44 Senna surattensis Along side of dirt road leading into Kahana Valley. Found associated with Leucaena, Mucuna, and grasses Preserved_Specimen Leaves once pinnate, leaflets about 20, light green on undersides. Legumes flattened, 1.5 to 2 cm wide. Flowers with attractive yellow-orange petals, in wide inflorescenes. Ishikawa, S. 183 Oahu BISH 1972-12-14
45 Senna surattensis Laie. Found along the road sides Preserved_Specimen trees, yellow flowers Hau, N. 31 Oahu BISH 1975-04-03
46 Senna surattensis Kalihi; Kapalama Elementary School campus. Beside fence facing Likelike Hwy, ewa side of school grounds Preserved_Specimen Round-topped shrub ca. 2 m tall; branches more or less Staples, G.W. 460 Oahu BISH 1989-07-01
47 Senna surattensis PTBG, Lawai Valley Preserved_Specimen Shrub with bright yellow flowers. Abundant. Herbst, D.R. 2269 Kauai BISH 1971-12-28
48 Senna surattensis Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, Onomea Bay, 5 mi north of Hilo Growing beside the orchid section in the garden Preserved_Specimen Shrub with yellow flowers and flat pods. Johnston, E. Hawaii BISH 1990-06-12
49 Senna surattensis East Maui, Hawaii 36 between Hana and Kahului. Vicinity of Haipuaena. 156.11 W 20.52 N Preserved_Specimen Tree ca. 20 ft. tall at roadside Calyz light green; petals yellow-orange anthers brown; ovary light green, style and stigma yellowish; fruits green. Crosby, M.R. 1796 Maui BISH 1964-07-17
50 Senna surattensis Kahuku High School Preserved_Specimen Shrubs. Large clups, thin brown pods. Yellow flowers. Ziegelbauer, K. Oahu BISH 1975-03-26
51 Senna surattensis Kahuku Hospital, Honolulu County Preserved_Specimen 20 ft hight, spreading, shady woody tree. isolated. McCulloch, R. 12 Oahu BISH 1975-04-11
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