Dadmurdan, Ring worm shrub

Senna alata, the candle bush, is an important medicinal tree, as well as an ornamental flowering plant in the subfamily Caesalpinioideae. It is also known as a candelabra bush, empress candle plant, ringworm tree, or candle tree. A remarkable species of Senna, it was sometimes separated in its own genus, Herpetic.

S. alata is native to Mexico and can be found in diverse habitats. In the tropics, it grows up to an altitude of 1,200 m. It is an invasive species in Austronesia. In Sri Lanka, it is used as an ingredient in Sinhala traditional medicine. The shrub stands 3–4 m tall, with leaves 50–80 cm long. The inflorescence looks like a yellow candle. The fruit, shaped like a straight pod, is up to 25 cm long. Its seed is distributed by water or animals. The leaves close in the dark.

Senna alata is known as a Christmas candle because it has yellow flower spikes on its evergreen shrubbery that look like thick, waxy candlesticks. The plant is an easy-to-grow perennial that thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 11. It also grows as an annual in zones 8 and 9. Simple propagation techniques will produce healthy specimens that provide a lovely floral display for your home garden and will also attract butterflies.

Uses:- The plant is an excellent diuretic, laxative and ememmagogue agent. It is used for treating herpes ulcers and other skin disorders. The infusion of the flower is used to treat urinary infections. The decoction of the leaves and stem are quite effective in the treatment of acaries and ringworm. Leaves are also a good remedy for liver problems, anemia, dyspepsia, menstrual problems, and high fevers. It also shows good effects in the treatment of dermatitis and syphilis.