Stinking pea

Title

Stinking pea

Authors

Ethan H. Freid

Scientific Name

Cassia chapmanii Isely

Description

Common Names

Stinking pea, Bahamas Senna

Family

Fabaceae

Habit

Cassia chapmanii grows as a medium shrub to small tree sometimes up to 8 meters in height, usually much smaller. The bipinnately compound leaves are alternately arranged. The petioles have a distinct gland between the lower pinnae or on the petiole, which is sessile and dome shaped and is distinct to C. chapmanii. The leaflets are in 4-5 pairs, elliptic, acute to mucronate at the leaf apex, with an entire margin.

The zygomorphic flowers are arranged in axillary racemes or panicles. The calyx has 5 greenish unfused sepals. The corolla has 5 yellow unfused petals, none of which form a keel. There are 9 stamens of which only 7 are fertile. The ovary is superior and forms a legume at maturity. The legume is constricted transversely between seeds giving a distinct ladder-like appearance to the fruit.

Habitat

Cassia chapmanii grows in Pine Woodlands, sand dunes, and human-disturbed areas in and around abandoned fields/houses and roadsides.

Distribution in Bahamas/Globally

Cassia chapmanii occurs on all island groupings within the Bahamian Archipelago as well as in south Florida and Cuba.

Medicinal/Cultural/Economic usage

Cassia chapmanii is used in the Bahamas to treat eye infections/irritations, to fight colds and fevers and for dermatological issues.

It is also used in the horticultural industry.

Other species of Cassia have been used to make teas, and to treat ringworm, dermatological inflammation, hemorrhoids, and general gastrointestinal distress.