sicklepod
Noun 1. A common name for two distinct plant species characterized by having long, slender, curved seed pods that resemble a sickle. * In North America, it refers to a rock cress (Boechera canadensis, formerly Arabis canadensis), a plant with very long, curved pods. * More broadly and commonly, it refers to a cosmopolitan tropical weed (Senna obtusifolia, formerly Cassia obtusifolia) with yellow flowers and slender, curved pods.
- The farmer identified the sicklepod invading his soybean field by its distinctive curved seed pods.
- Botanists collected specimens of the North American sicklepod from the rocky outcrop.
- Sicklepod () is considered a noxious weed in many agricultural regions.
- The term is primarily used in agricultural, botanical, and ecological contexts to describe these specific plants, often highlighting their status as weeds.
- It can be used attributively as a noun modifier (e.g., sicklepod infestation, sicklepod control).
- Senna obtusifolia: The current scientific name for the common tropical weed known as sicklepod.
- Cassia obtusifolia: A former scientific name for the same plant, still used in some references.
- Boechera canadensis: The scientific name for the North American rock cress known as sicklepod.
- Coffee weed: Another common name for .
- Sicklepod senna: A fuller common name for .
- (For ): Coffee weed, sicklepod senna, Chinese senna.
- (For ): Canadian rockcress.
The word sicklepod has two distinct botanical meanings: 1. The primary and most common reference is to the widespread tropical weed Senna obtusifolia. 2. A secondary, regional reference is to the North American wildflower Boechera canadensis. Context (geographic location and habitat) usually clarifies which plant is meant.
- North American rock cress having very long curved pods
- cosmopolitan tropical herb or subshrub with yellow flowers and slender curved pods; a weed; sometimes placed in genus Cassia