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GENERAL
Origin
:
Mediterranean,
sub-tropical,
tropical
Vigour
:
fairly fast
growing
Humidity
:
semi-arid, semi-
humid, very
humid
Propagation :
sowing and
pricking out,
cuttings
Maintenance :
moderate
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
resistant
Dessication :
vulnerable
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
medium
Salinity/ppm :
moderate (2000
ppm)
Hardiness
:
-9°C
SHAPE
Type
:
shrub, tree
Height
:
2 m-4 m
Spread
:
3 m-6 m
Foliage
:
evergreen
FLOWER
Colour
:
deep yellow
Size
:
3 cm - 5 cm
Period
:
July - October
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
pod
Fruit size
:
20 cm
This Argentinean native is well adapted to desert climates. Up to 50 cm long, its compound
leaves make a lush impact. Generally evergreen, the Emperor’s Candlestick’s leaves may be shed
in cold winters, but frosts known to occur in Arriyadh do not damage the branches. Without
pruning, the plants form sprawling shrubs up to 4 metres high and 6 metres wide. In locations
protected from strong winds, they may be trained as standard trees that eventually form pic-
turesque, umbrella-shaped crowns. Showy spikes of bright-yellow flowers appear at the end of
the shoots; these stick out like torches, and give the plants another common name, Candle Bush.
The inflorescences are up to 3 cm across and are borne mainly in summer, but last well into the
autumn. Pollination is done by butterflies, followed by brown, elongated pods some 30 cm long.
Seeds germinate readily, providing numerous offspring both in cultivation and when escaping
to invade the vicinity. Another method of multiplication is hardwood cuttings planted in winter.
Soils may be low in nutrients, but need to be well drained. To achieve fast growth and a splendid
floral display, this plant may be pampered by providing sufficient water and fertiliser. This way,
plants quickly form dense hedges suitable for screening. Hard pruning in winter leads to proli-
ferated growth in spring. The plants revel in full sun and heat, adjusting their vigour to almost
any condition. Candle Bushes are robust in urban microclimates, and are good accent plants in
parks and gardens.
279
Senna alata,
Caesalpiniaceae
Candlebush,
Emperor’s Candlesticks