Senna alata (L.) Roxb.1832, commonly called Candle Bush, Candletree, Candelabra Bush, Empress Candle Plant or Ringworm Tree, is a tropical shrub, native to Mexico, but nowadys distributed throughout many tropical and subtropical countries around the world. As the candle bush is considered as an invasive species in South East Asia, the Pacific islands and Australia, it´s also important in natural medicine, especially the Sri Lankan traditional Sinhala medicine, as a treatment for ringworm and other fungal infections of the skin.

The Candle Bush (Senna alata) belongs to the legume family (Fabaceae) and can reach heights up to about 4 meters. The exotic, tropical shrub with its bright green and dense foliage is often cultivated as an ornamental plant and requires warm temperatures and a location in full sun to partial shade. The Candle Bush cam be easily grown from seeds.

Flower Photography © Orchids Flowers.com
Image: Candle Bush (Senna alata)
Photographer: Kitisak “Nat” Jaidee