emperor's candlesticks
Senna alata (L.) Roxb.
Emperor’s candlesticks carries its flowers in upright columns. The lower flowers open yellow while orange bracts still cover the buds above, creating the candle-like appearance behind several common names. This erect shrub can reach three to four metres in Singapore, with large compound leaves. NParks Flora & Fauna Web: Senna alata
Botanical name
Kew accepts Senna alata (L.) Roxb.; Cassia alata L. is its earlier name, also recorded by NParks. Kew POWO: Senna alataNParks Flora & Fauna Web: Senna alata
Recognizing the plant
Each leaf carries six to twelve pairs of smooth, oblong leaflets, their rounded tips slightly indented. The whole leaf can be thirty to sixty centimetres long. After flowering, the plant forms dark purple to black pods with four pronounced sides and papery wings. Pods contain many flattened, triangular to nearly square seeds. NParks Flora & Fauna Web: Senna alata
Native range
The species is native from southwestern Mexico through tropical America and has been introduced widely in other tropical regions. NParks records it on wet ground in disturbed places and floodplains; Flora of China also records introduced plants in sparse forest and on dry slopes. Kew POWO: Senna alataNParks Flora & Fauna Web: Senna alataFlora of China: Senna alata
Ecological relationships
NParks identifies it as a butterfly host plant, as well as a plant attractive to bees. NParks Flora & Fauna Web: Senna alata
Botanical sources
Reviewed 2026-10-11. Seasonal development varies with location and growing conditions.