Senna armata
Spiny senna, Spiny Senna
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Senna armata (Spiny senna) is a native California shrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by . Distinguished by armed, nearly leafless habit and grooved stems.
Spiny senna is a California native shrub found in the southeastern desert region in sandy or gravelly washes at elevations of 100 to 1,400 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces distinctive yellow to salmon-red flowers 8 to 12 millimeters long in terminal racemes. Growing as an armed shrub 0.5 to 1 meter tall with green grooved branches that emerge from the base, it has a sparse, almost leafless appearance most of the year. Its leaves feature 4 to 8 small, asymmetric ovate leaflets that are short-lived, falling away to leave the main stem with a weak spine at its tip. The shrub produces elongated lanceolate fruits 2.5 to 4 centimeters long that remain straight when mature.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species. Distinguished by armed, nearly leafless habit and grooved stems
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Sandy or gravelly washes
Elevation: 100-1400 m
California counties: Inyo, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Mariposa
Outside California: Nevada, Arizona, Baja California
Bloom period
Senna armata blooms Mar-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Cassia: Senna and Cassia are now considered the same genus; plants in California are Senna.; vs Ephedra: Senna has bright yellow flowers and compound leaves; Ephedra is nearly leafless with jointed green stems.; vs Spartium: Senna has compound leaves with paired leaflets; Spartium has simple leaves or nearly leafless green stems.; vs Parkinsonia: Senna lacks spines; Parkinsonia has prominent straight spines at leaf nodes.; vs Asclepias: Senna has yellow pea-flowers and compound leaves; Asclepias has complex star-shaped flowers and milky sap.
Frequently asked questions
Is Senna armata native to California?
Yes. Senna armata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Senna armata bloom?
Senna armata blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Senna armata grow?
Senna armata occurs in Inyo, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Mariposa, at elevations of 100-1400 m.
What plant family does Senna armata belong to?
Senna armata is in the Fabaceae family, genus Senna.
What habitat does Senna armata grow in?
Senna armata grows in Uncommon. Sandy or gravelly washes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.