Bladder Senna Colutea arborescens
ABOUT
The plant commonly referred to as bladder senna is a deciduous shrub that is well-recognized for its unique and attractive features. It has pinnate leaves, which means the leaflets are arranged in pairs along a central stem, giving a feather-like appearance to the foliage. The leaves are generally a bright green hue, adding to the visual appeal of the shrub. Spring and summer bring forth its blooms; the flowers are yellow and shaped like small pea flowers, typical of the legume family to which it belongs. As the flowering season progresses, these are replaced by the plant's most distinctive feature—its inflated, bladder-like seed pods. These pods are translucent, papery structures that start out green and gradually turn to a reddish-brown as they mature. Inside these interesting pods are numerous seeds that rattle around when the pod is dry, adding both a visual and auditory element to the plant's charm.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Bladder Senna, Bladder Bush, Mediterranean Bladder Senna
Common names
Colutea vulgaris, Colutea vulgaris Lam., Colutea arborescens var. bulgarica, Colutea arborescens subsp. bulgarica, Colutea bulgarica, Colutea cilicica, Colutea florida, Colutea intermedia, Colutea pallida, Colutea taurica, Colutea transcaucasica.
ToxicityTo humans
Colutea arborescens, commonly known as Bladder Senna, is not considered highly toxic to humans; however, it can cause mild nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if ingested. Eating large quantities of the seeds can be more harmful, so it is recommended to avoid consuming any part of the plant.
To pets
Bladder Senna is also considered to have mild toxicity to pets. If pets ingest parts of the plant, especially seeds, they could experience gastrointestinal upset, which might manifest as vomiting or diarrhea. It is advisable to prevent pets from ingesting this plant due to the potential for discomfort and digestive issues.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
6-12 feet (1.8-3.7 meters)
Spread
6-12 feet (1.8-3.7 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
6
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value: Colutea arborescens, commonly known as Bladder Senna, is often used as an ornamental plant due to its attractive yellow pea-like flowers and distinctive inflated seed pods.
- Drought Tolerance: Bladder Senna is known for its ability to withstand periods of drought, making it suitable for xeriscaping or gardens in arid regions.
- Nitrogen Fixation: As a legume, Bladder Senna has the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, improving soil fertility and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
- Wildlife Attraction: The flowers of Bladder Senna can attract bees and butterflies, while the seed pods may provide food for certain bird species.
- Erosion Control: With its dense root system, Bladder Senna can help stabilize slopes and areas prone to erosion, preventing soil loss and promoting land integrity.
- Fast Growth: Bladder Senna is known for its rapid growth rate, which can be beneficial when needing to establish vegetation quickly in a landscape or rehabilitated area.
- Adaptability: Bladder Senna is adaptable to a range of soil types, though it prefers well-drained soils, allowing it to be planted in various landscapes with minimal soil amendment.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, Bladder Senna requires very little maintenance, making it an attractive choice for gardeners looking for low-care plant options.
- Hedge or Screen Planting: Due to its dense foliage, Bladder Senna can be used to create informal hedges or privacy screens in garden settings.
- Seasonal Interest: The changing appearance of Bladder Senna throughout the seasons, from flowers to inflated seed pods, provides year-round visual interest.
Medical Properties- Diuretic: Colutea arborescens has been traditionally used for its diuretic properties, which means it helps promote the production of urine.
- Laxative: It also has a mild laxative effect, which can aid in relieving constipation.
- Anti-inflammatory: Some suggest that the plant possesses anti-inflammatory properties, which could help reduce inflammation.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Tannin source: The bark of Colutea arborescens can be utilized for its tannin content which is useful in the leather tanning industry to treat hides.
- Insect habitat: The shrub provides shelter and breeding grounds for various insects, including bees which find the flowers particularly attractive for their nectar and pollen.
- Erosion control: Due to its vigorous root system, it is often planted to stabilize soils and control erosion on steep slopes and banks.
- Fodder plant: In some regions, Colutea arborescens is used as a fodder plant for livestock, although it is not a primary feed source.
- Windbreaks: The shrubby nature of Colutea arborescens makes it suitable for forming windbreaks and living fences, especially in arid regions.
- Nitrogen fixation: As a member of the legume family, it can fix nitrogen in the soil, thereby improving soil fertility for other plants.
- Dye production: The leaves and other parts of the plant can be used to produce yellow or green dyes for textiles.
- Ornamental uses: With its attractive yellow flowers and distinctive bladder-like seed pods, Colutea arborescens is also grown as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks.
- Education and research: The plant serves as a subject for botanical study and research, especially focused on its ability to thrive in poor soils and its symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
- Biomass production: Colutea arborescens grows rapidly and can be harvested for biomass, which can then be converted into fuel or composted as organic matter.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Bladder-senna is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Bladder-senna is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resilience: Bladder Senna (Colutea arborescens) is known for its ability to thrive in poor soils and dry conditions, symbolizing the ability to endure and persist through challenging circumstances.
- Protection: In some cultures, the Bladder Senna's seed pods, which resemble protective bladders or balloons, are thought to symbolize safety and shelter.
- Adaptability: Due to its versatile nature and the ability to grow in different environments, Bladder Senna can represent the flexibility and capacity to adapt to varying situations.
- New Beginnings: The plant's vigorous growth and renewal in spring are often seen as a symbol of new starts and fresh opportunities.
WaterThe bladder senna should be watered deeply but infrequently, to encourage the development of strong, deep roots. During the growing season, watering once a week is typically sufficient, with about 1-2 gallons of water for each plant, depending on the size and maturity. However, it's important to reduce the amount of water as the plant is drought-tolerant and overwatering can lead to root rot. In the winter, water sparingly, only enough to prevent the soil from completely drying out, as the plant is dormant during this period.
LightBladder senna thrives best in full sun to partial shade. It should be placed in a spot where it can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Locations that offer bright morning sunlight with some protection from the intense afternoon sun can also work well for this plant.
TemperatureBladder senna does well in a wide range of temperatures but prefers temperate climates. It can withstand temperatures as low as 10°F, making it suitable for USDA hardiness zones 6 through 9. The ideal temperature range for promoting healthy growth lies between 60°F and 75°F. Although it's a hardy plant, blistering heat above 95°F for prolonged periods might stress the plant.
PruningPruning the bladder senna is important to maintain its shape and encourage new growth. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Prune annually by removing any dead, damaged, or overly crowded branches, and cut back up to one-third of the old growth to stimulate fresh growth and flowering.
CleaningNot needed
SoilBladder senna (Colutea arborescens) prefers well-drained, sandy loam with a pH of 6.0-7.5. Enrich the soil with organic matter to improve nutrition.
RepottingBladder senna typically does not require frequent repotting. Repot if rootbound, usually every 2-3 years.
Humidity & MistingBladder senna is tolerant of various humidity levels and does not have specific humidity requirements.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light; minimal care needed.
Outdoor
Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
5-8 USDA
Life cycleBladder Senna (Colutea arborescens) begins its life cycle when seeds germinate, typically in the spring after experiencing a period of cold stratification, which breaks seed dormancy. Seedlings will then establish a root system and produce a set of true leaves, transitioning into juvenile plants. As it matures, Bladder Senna will develop into a woody shrub, reaching heights of up to 4 meters, whereupon it will produce pinnate leaves and begin to grow its distinctive yellow pea-like flowers in the summer. After pollination, often by insects, these flowers will develop into translucent papery seed pods that resemble bladders, which is the reason for the common name. These pods will dry, split open, and disperse seeds that can be spread by wind or gravity. The plant then enters dormancy during the colder months, with the cycle repeating as the seeds germinate in following spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Early Summer
The most popular method of propagating the Colutea arborescens, commonly known as the Bladder Senna, is through its seeds. The optimum time to sow the seeds is after the last frost in spring or in autumn. The seeds have a hard outer coating, so to facilitate quicker germination, they should be scarified first by gently rubbing them with sandpaper or nicking the seed coat with a knife. Then, seeds can be soaked in warm water for 24 hours to further soften the coat. Once prepared, seeds are sown in well-drained soil at a depth approximately twice the diameter of the seed, which is usually around 1/4 inch (about 6 mm). Seedlings will emerge in a few weeks, after which they can be carefully transplanted into individual pots or their final location in the garden when they are sturdy enough to handle.
