Originally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 as Cassia sophera, it has acquired a large number of synonyms.

[1] Vernacular names include algarrobilla,[2] baner, kasunda, kasaundi (Hindi) and kolkasunda (Bengali).

[citation needed] Senna sophera is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, but is considered by Plants of the World Online to be native to the Caribbean (Aruba, the Bahamas, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, the Leeward Islands, the Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago and the Windward Islands); Central America (Belize and Panama); and Guyana in northern South America.

[1] Senna socotrana was assessed as "least concern" for the 2004 IUCN Red List, where it is said to be native only to Socotra.

[3] As of April 2023[update], S. socotrana was regarded as a synonym of Senna sophera, which has a very much wider distribution.