Vegetable Hummingbird, Agati,

Sesbania grandiflora

Physical Characteristics

Sesbania grandiflora is a deciduous Tree growing to 12 m (39ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. The flowers are pollinated by Birds. The plant is self-fertile. It can fix Nitrogen. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can tolerate drought. The plant is not wind tolerant.

Distribution

E. Asia - Probably originally from Malaysia and/or Indonesia, but original habitat is uncertain.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Seed Seedpod Shoots Edible Uses: Condiment Gum Tea Flowers - raw or cooked[301 ]. Added to salads, boiled as a potherb, fried or used in curries[46 , 301 ]. Considered a delicacy in India[307 ]. Rich in sugar and iron, with a flavour like mushrooms[301 ]. The centre part of the flower is usually removed because it is very bitter[301 ]. White flowers are generally preferred to red ones[303 ]. Seedpods - raw or cooked[46 ]. The long, narrow pods are boiled and eaten like string beans[301 , 303 ]. The very young seedpods can be added to salads[302 ]. The pods can be up to 50cm long and 8mm wide[303 ]. Seed. The protein rich seeds are fermented into tempeh[301 ]. Young leaves and shoots - raw or cooked[301 , 303 ]. Added to salads, cooked as a potherb or added to stews[301 ]. A clear gum obtained from the bark is used in foods[303 ].

Medicinal Uses

Anthelmintic Antibiotic Antidiarrhoeal Antipyretic Antirheumatic Antitumor Aperient Astringent Diuretic Dysentery Emollient Febrifuge Laxative Malaria Ophthalmic Poultice Tonic The leaves are aperient and diuretic. Crushed leaves are applied as a poultice to sprains and bruises of all kinds, swellings, rheumatism, itching etc. A tea made from the leaves is believed to have antibiotic, anthelmintic, antitumor and contraceptive properties. The bitter bark is considered as an astringent, febrifuge, tonic and an antipyretic, a remedy for gastric troubles, colic with diarrhoea and dysentery. A bark decoction is taken orally to treat fever, diarrhoea, dysentery and diabetes. The flowers are emollient and laxative. Juice of the flowers, put in the eyes, is said to relieve dimness of vision. Sinus congestion is reduced by taking a decoction of the flowers. The root is a well-known medicine for malaria. Root juices are used for poultices. A paste of the root is applied externally in the treatment of rheumatism.

Known Hazards

None known