Senna italica subsp. arachoides green pods

The Senna italica subsp. arachoides fruit is a flat, oblong, papery pod. Its tip is curved, the departed flowers style persisting upon it. At the other end there is a notable stalk, a bit like an elephant’s body.

The pod develops a row of raised mounds on its surface over the seeds. The pods become 3 cm long, 1,5 cm wide. Pods dehisce, bursting open when dry to release their seeds.

The seeds are used as a coffee substitute (Pooley, 1998; Van Wyk and Gericke, 2000; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; iSpot; www.zimbabweflora.co.zw).