Naming Identity

Sensitive partridge pea or kacang sensitif in Indonesia is scientifically named Chamaecrista nictitans. Internationally in English, this plant is also known as Japanese tea senna, sensitive cassia or wild sensitive plant. In Japan, this plant is popularly known as kobo-cha or nemu-cha. While in Hawaii, this plant is popularly known as lauki.

Taxonomy

Origin

Chamaecrista nictitans is a plant that originates from the neotropics, southern and eastern of the United States. This species plant has been widely naturalized in various tropical and subtropical climates in the world including Indonesia (Jones, 2022).

Shape Description

Chamaecrista nictitans or sensitive cassia is an annual herbaceous or woody plant that can grow to a height of up to 80 cm. This plant grows branched with hairy green stems. However, the upper surface of the stem is commonly reddish.

The leaves on this plant grow alternately with a length that can reach up to 10 cm and a width of 3 cm. The leaves have hairy blades with a stalk length of 7 mm. At first glance, the shape of the leaves is similar to the mimosa pudica species with similar habits, namely that when touched slowly it will close.

The flowers on this plant are yellow and have a width of 10 mm. The petals on the flowers do not have the same size. Even so, the largest petals on the flowers can reach a maximum length of up to 8 mm.

The fruit on this plant is a dry pod that is flat and oval with a length that can reach up to 20 to 40 mm with a width of 3 to 6 mm.

Other Uses and Health Benefits of Sensitive Cassia

The Chamaecrista nictitans species or sensitive cassia are said to function as soil stabilizers. In general, this is due to its nitrogen-binding properties (Jones, 2022). Based on research conducted by María Luisa Mateos-Martín et al. (2014) it was found that extracts from this plant have antiviral properties that can work against the herpes simplex virus through its phenolic composition.