Sicklepod

Biological Name:

Senna obtusifolia (Sicklepod)

Natural Habitat:

Sicklepod: Fields and meadows, North America

Description:

Sicklepod also known as Senna is a plant that is native to grassland and prairie regions of North America. It is an annual herb that can grow up to two feet tall and it has large oval-shaped leaves and small yellow or orange flowers that bloom in the summer. The plant is known for its sickle-shaped seedpods and it is considered to be a noxious weed in many areas.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is sicklepod good for?
A: Facts about Sicklepod What is this? The green leaves of the plant are fermented and this produces a high protein product called “kawal”. This is often eaten in Sudan as a meat substitute. The plant is thought by some to produce a laxative effect and to be beneficial to the eyes.
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Q: Is the senna plant toxic?
A: All parts of a senna plant are toxic, although the relative toxicity of foliage and seed varies somewhat from species to species. All species except twinleaf are relatively unpalatable when green and are more often eaten once dry for the winter.
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Q: What herbicide kills sicklepod?
A: Chemical Control Herbicides with an active ingredient of 2,4-D works well with eradicating Sicklepods in pastures.
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Q: Why is Horseweed a problem?
A: The biology of horseweed is particularly problematic because of the large number of seeds a single plant can produce, potential for long-distance dispersal of that seed, prolonged germination periods, and widespread herbicide resistance.
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Q: Is senna plant invasive?
A: The shrub was in the market for many decades, though now it is no longer sold due its invasive nature. In Florida, Senna pendula is usually cultivated as, and misapplied to, Senna bicapsularis.
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Q: What problems does knapweed cause?
A: Spotted knapweed has many negative impacts. For example, it releases a chemical that hinders native plants’ root growth and displaces vegetation. Also, infestations can decrease food quantities for wildlife and livestock. As well, large infestations can increase erosion and runoff.
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Q: Why is knapweed a problem?
A: Spotted knapweed is highly invasive and, therefore, can severely decrease the biological diversity of native and agronomic habitats by reducing the availability of desirable forage for livestock operations, degrading wildlife habitats, and hindering reforestation and landscape restoration efforts.
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Q: Is sicklepod invasive?
A: Facts. Sickle-pod wild senna is native to southeastern North America and invasive in California and many other parts of the world. It can be a serious weed of crops, but is itself edible and has traditional medicinal uses.
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Q: How do I get rid of sicklepod?
A: To control sicklepod in wide-row soybeans, you can apply a flumetsulam-, imazaquin-, or metribuzin-containing product at planting and cultivate. If additional control is needed, a postemergence application of Classic followed by cultivation is an effective program.
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Q: Is sicklepod a perennial?
A: Senna obtusifolia, commonly known as sicklepod, is an often short-lived, upright to sometimes sprawling, herbaceous perennial of the pea/bean family that typically grows to 2 1/2′ tall, featuring compound-pinnate light green leaves and yellow flowers.
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Q: What is the fastest growing invasive aquatic plant?
A: One of the fastest growing plants known; water hyacinths can double populations in two weeks. Some populations in Southeast Asia have been documented to grow up to 5 meters per day. The plant is capable of reproduction by two vegetative methods: seeds and horizontal stems.
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Q: What is the most invasive aquatic plant?
A: Invasive Phragmites.Water Soldier.Eurasian Watermilfoil.European Water Chestnut.European Frog-bit.Hydrilla.Fanwort.Flowering Rush.
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Q: What is the most invasive vine?
A: Kudzu grows out of control quickly, spreading through runners (stems that root at the tip when in contact with moist soil), rhizomes and by vines that root at the nodes to form new plants. Once established, kudzu grows at a rate of one foot per day with mature vines as long as 100 feet.
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Q: Is sicklepod poisonous?
A: This semi-woody annual legume is native to the American tropics. Sicklepod is known to be toxic, affecting liver, kidney and muscle function in livestock. The stems and leaves, as well as seeds, contain toxins, whether green or dry.
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Q: Are Amaranths invasive?
A: Quick facts. Palmer amaranth is an invasive species. Palmer amaranth prefers to grow in sunny disturbed areas, row crop fields and has been found in conservation plantings. The plant can adapt quickly and build up herbicide resistant genes.
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Q: How do you control sicklepod?
A: To control sicklepod in wide-row soybeans, you can apply a flumetsulam-, imazaquin-, or metribuzin-containing product at planting and cultivate. If additional control is needed, a postemergence application of Classic followed by cultivation is an effective program.
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Q: Is sicklepod toxic to horses?
A: Poisonous plants commonly grown in pastures to the size of wolf weeds are pigweed, black nightshade, lantana, sicklepod, crotalaria, coffee senna, and castor bean.
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Q: What is the most invasive plant in California?
A: Centaurea Solstitialis In fact, it’s the most serious rangeland weeds in the entire state of California.
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Q: Is Mother of thousands poisonous to humans?
A: Is Mother of Thousands Poisonous? If you want to grow this plant, beware: mother of thousands is toxic to dogs, cats, and people. So this succulent plant is a better choice for homes without pets or young children. Check out more poisonous and invasive plants for your yard.
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Q: Are any ferns poisonous to humans?
A: Impacts: All parts of bracken fern, including rootstocks, fresh or dry leaves, fiddleheads, and spores, contain toxic compounds that are poisonous to livestock and humans. Poisoning often occurs in spring when young shoots sprout and during late summer when other feed is scarce.
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Q: Is American sicklepod edible?
A: Fortunately, sicklepod seed also contains substantial amounts of carbohydrates and proteins. These edible components when freed from anthraquinones have a market in pet food as well as potential in human foods because of the high galactomannan ratio of the polysaccharides.
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Q: Is Biden’s Alba Edible?
A: A single plant can produce 3,000 to 6,000 seeds, so if you don’t want them to spread you need to pull up the plants before they go to seed — or you can eat them. The fresh or dried leaves of bidens alba are edible.
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Q: Is hairy Crabweed invasive?
A: It can be very problematic in moist woodlands by outcompeting certain native species, including rare woodland species growing on moist woodland bluffs. However, hairy crabweed does not invade, establish, and persist in dry environments.
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Q: What does Sicklepod look like?
A: Sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia) Description: This annual plant is 1-2½’ tall, branching occasionally. The stems are light green and somewhat ridged. The lower stems often sprawl along the ground in open areas, otherwise this plant is erect.
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Q: Is Senna Tora edible?
A: Senna tora has many uses. The whole plant and roots, leaves, and seeds have been widely used in traditional Indian and South Asian medicine. The plant and seeds are edible. Young leaves can be cooked as a vegetable while the roasted seeds are used as a substitute coffee.
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About the author

Samuel is a gardening professional and enthusiast who has spent over 20 years advising homeowners and farm owners on weed identification, prevention and removal. He has an undergraduate degree in plant and soil science from Michigan State University.