One of a number of shrubs to be found on Skopelos with bright yellow pea flowers, bladder senna is easily identified by its inflated papery seeds, which rattle when shaken.The shrub is renowned for its rapid growth, the fruits develop rapidly and remain on the plant as new flowers open.

The leaves have a laxative effect if eaten, similar to true senna but is said to be unpredictable and therefore not used medicinally.

The plant is a supplementary food for goats and is particularly valuable during the summer months, when kermes oak leaves are less available as a fodder crop.