Senna hebecarpa, commonly called American senna or wild senna, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the legume family, Fabaceae. Senna hebecarpa is native to much of eastern North America and can be found in moist, open woodlands. Leaves are pinnately compound with 10 to 20 leaflets on each leaf. The whole plant can grow up to 3 to 6 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. Yellow flowers grow from apical buds that bloom in July and August. Senna hebecarpa is grown as a medicinal crop as the leaves, roots, and seeds are used to alleviate cramps, heart trouble, and fevers. The leaves are commonly used as a laxative when chopped and boiled with water. Full sun to partial shade are ideal light conditions. The plant thrives in moist well draining neutral pH soil with a fair amount of organic matter. Water adequately whenever soil appears dry. USDA plant hardiness zone 4a to 8b. Senna hebecarpa seeds require a cold stratification pretreatment. This may be achieved by leaving seeds in a small amount of moist, but not soaking wet, sterilized peat moss or sand inside a refrigerator for 1 month. Sown seeds require consistent moisture but soil should not be soaking wet. Soil should be moist and well draining with a neutral pH. Seeds should be surface sown and lightly covered with a thin layer of the potting mixture and kept between 70°F to 85°F. Germination typically takes 1 to 2 weeks to occur. Even with optimal conditions, germination may be slow and sporadic.