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Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr.
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Synonyms: | Sesbania aegyptiaca Poir., Sesbania confaloniana (Chiov.) Chiov. |
| Common Name: | Egyptian Pea |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Small (6m-15m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 8 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Egypt |
|---|---|
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Large shrub or small tree growing up to 8 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Pinnately compound leaves (15-30 cm long) are composed of 6-27 pairs of elliptic leaflets. |
| Flowers | Pea-like flowers are bright yellow with purple or brown streaks. The inflorescence is a raceme composed of 2-20 flowers. |
| Fruit | Pods are approximately cylindrical and may be straight or slightly curved. Each pod holds 10-50 seeds. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Timber & Products: It is widely used as fuelwood. Agriculture - Forestry: In India, used to add nutrients to the soil. Others: In India, used as forage for horses and cattle. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Waterlogged Soils, Poor Infertile Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Compound (Even-Pinnate) |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Rounded |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Papilionaceous / Pea-shaped |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Legume / Pod |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Several (11-20), Numerous (>20) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31354 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5751 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
