Identification of Seeds of Indian Senna of Commerce

Seeds of 8 species of the Sub-genus Senna under the genus Cassia L. of the family Caesalpiniaceae viz. C. angustifolia Vahl, C. sophera L., C. occidentalis L., C. siamea L., C. obovata collad., C. obtusifolia L., C. tora L. and C. auriculata L. have been studied. Seeds of 7 species have medicinal value but one species-C. obovata has been reported to be mixed with the seeds of C. angustifolia, the Tinnevelly Senna. A key to the species on the basis of seed structure has been provided for easy identification. Local names in major Indian languages have also been given.