Senna ligustrina, or privet senna, is an easy to grow Florida native plant. It is a nectar plant for pollinators and a larval host plant for species of sulphur butterflies. This is a perennial that lives for several years and produces beautiful yellow flowers and thin bean pods. It prefers full sun but will also grow in part-sun, with sandy, well-drained soil.
![](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsboroughco/files/2024/01/senna_ligustrina_0004Denton-300x300.jpg)
Quick Facts
Common name: Privet senna
Scientific name: Senna ligustrina
Family: Fabaceae (Bean family)
Zone: 9a – 11
Height: 4 – 8’
Width: 3-6’
![](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsboroughco/files/2024/01/IMG_5837-1024x768.jpeg)
Privet senna naturally occurs on the east and west coasts of central and south Florida. It grows easily from seed and is readily available in native plant nurseries.
![](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsboroughco/files/2024/01/phoebis_sennae01.jpg)
More on Senna ligustrina:
Florida Native Plant Society
https://www.fnps.org/plant/senna-ligustrina
Florida Wildflower Foundation
https://www.flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-senna-ligustrina/
Florida-Friendly Landscaping
https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/bees/plants/Details/495
Cloudless Sulphur Butterfly
https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/bfly/bfly2/cloudless_sulphur.htm
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