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Glite Dictionary
Cassia acutifolia

Cassia acutifolia

9.9
A shrub with yellow flowers whose dried leaves are a natural laxative
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Cassia acutifolia
  • The dried leaves of Cassia acutifolia are sometimes brewed into a tea to relieve occasional constipation.

Examples

  • The active compounds in Cassia acutifolia are commonly used in herbal medicine as a natural laxative.

  • Researchers found that extracts from Cassia acutifolia leaves had notable cathartic effects in laboratory studies.

  • The Cassia acutifolia plant thrives in arid conditions.

  • Many herbalists recommend Cassia acutifolia for digestive health.

  • Researchers found that extracts from Cassia acutifolia leaves had notable cathartic effects in laboratory studies.

  • The dried leaves of Cassia acutifolia are sometimes brewed into a tea to relieve occasional constipation.

  • The active compounds in Cassia acutifolia are commonly used in herbal medicine as a natural laxative.

Synonyms

tinnevelly senna
vsCassia acutifolia
  • UK
9.9

A small bush with yellow flowers whose dried leaves make you go to the toilet

gives the native region and common label rather than a species name
Alexandrian senna
vsCassia acutifolia
  • Specialized
8.8

A shrub whose dried leaves people use as a laxative

names the plant by a Latin scientific form and native region
Cassia augustifolia
vsCassia acutifolia
  • Specialized
9.9

A shrub with yellow flowers whose dried leaves people use as a natural laxative

uses a specific Latin label and native region rather than noting an alternate name
Senna alexandrina
vsCassia acutifolia
  • Specialized
9.8

A plant with yellow flowers whose dried leaves make a laxative tea

describes the plant by a different Latin species label and native region
true senna
vsCassia acutifolia
  • Specialized
8.0

A shrub with yellow flowers whose dried leaves help people with constipation

uses the term cathartic rather than laxative for leaf preparations
Indian senna
vsCassia acutifolia
  • Indian
8.4

A shrub with yellow flowers whose dried leaves are used to treat constipation

specifies a tawny yellow flower colour rather than plain yellow
Alexandria senna
vsCassia acutifolia
  • Specialized
9.3

A tall shrub with yellow flowers and leaves that people dry and use as a laxative

describes it as an upright or erect shrub rather than simply tall

Surface Forms

Cassia acutifolia singular
Cassia acutifolias plural

Morphology

Cassia + acutifolia

The binomial is compositionally descriptive: Cassia (a genus name) + acutifolia (Latin for 'sharp‑leaved' or 'pointed leaves'), so the overall meaning ('a Cassia with pointed/sharp leaves') is derivable from the parts. However, the specific epithet is a Latin/formulaic botanical term not found in ordinary English and thus would not be immediately familiar to an average B1 learner, making the transparency limited.

Etymology

Cassia acutifolia is a shrub whose dried leaves were long brewed as a strong tea that made people go to the toilet. That's why the plant is known for being a 'natural laxative'.