Chapman’s Cassia
Senna mexicana
Chapman’s Cassia is also known as Bahama Senna, and is a great attractor of several sulphur butterflies. These include the Cloudless Sulphur, Sleepy Orange Sulphur, Little Yellow, and Orange Barred Sulphur. The adults nectar on the yellow flowers while the caterpillars eat the leaves.
It grows to two and a half feet tall on average in full sun and likes well drained yet fertile and moist soil. Drought is tolerated yet water may need to be added if this continues.
Chapman’s Cassia is a long lived woody shrub found in the Miami Rocklands and, surprisingly, near the water’s edge in the Florida Keys. Stem borers and an insect that eats the flower buds may need treatment. Watch for scale insects on the stem which will kill the plant.
This plant makes a nice addition to a rock garden or a garden mimicking the Florida Keys’ environment. Lignum Vitae, Thatch Palms, Quailberry, Golden Creeper, Locust Berry, Firebush, Keys Porterweed, Sea Lavender, Bloodberry and Joewood make great combinations with this plant.
Chapman’s Cassia may occasionally need to be cut back, fertilized and watered to encourage dark green new growth. Otherwise, it may become rangy. Although it is not the prettiest plant to use, it is essential to have in a butterfly garden.