Senna is a large genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae. This diverse genus is native throughout the tropics, with a small number of species reaching into temperate regions. The number of species is usually estimated to be about 260, but some authors believe that there are as many as 350.

Senna petersiana commonly known as Monkey Pod or Eared Senna is an African deciduous shrub or small tree. The leaves are compound with about 12 opposite lanceolate leaflets, dark green above and lighter below. Its copious bright yellow flowers are carried on erect multi-branched inflorescences. The species was formerly placed in the genus Cassia. It occurs naturally in Cameroon, Central African Republic, DRC, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Swaziland. It was introduced to several Indian Ocean islands and became naturalized in far northern Madagascar.