Spiny Senna
Senna armata
Spiny Senna is a tough, shrubby plant native to the desert Southwest. Known for its sharp spines and bright yellow flowers, it thrives in some of the harshest desert environments and is well adapted to hot, dry conditions.
Appearance:
A woody shrub that typically grows 3 to 6 feet tall. It has stiff, gray-green branches with sharp spines and small, paired leaflets that often drop during drought. The cheerful yellow flowers bloom in clusters and are followed by long, narrow seed pods.
Habitat:
Found on rocky slopes, desert washes, and sandy flats. Common in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, often in very dry and exposed locations.
Bloom Time:
Usually blooms from March to May, depending on rainfall. May bloom again after summer monsoons.
Pollinators:
Attracts native bees and other insects. The bright yellow flowers stand out in the desert and offer a rich nectar source.
Note:
Spiny Senna may look harsh with its thorny stems, but its golden blooms are a welcome sight in the spring desert. It’s a good example of a desert plant that balances defense with beauty.
Found in gravelly washes and open flats below 3000 ft.
Blooms from April to May.
Shrub can grow to 6' tall.