Sesbania grandiflora is a fast-growing evergreen tree that is native to south-east Asia and northern Australia. The Hummingbird tree is easy to grow in tropical climates and is harvested for its edible flowers and leaves. Not only does the tree have stunning red flowers, it is used traditional medicines and to improve the quality of the soil.
Suitable for Sub-Tropical and Tropical climates.
Sesbania grandiflora is also commonly referred to as the Vegetable Hummingbird, Flamingo Bill, West Indian Pea, White Dragon Tree, Swamp Pea, Sesban, Agati, Katurai, Australian Corkwood Tree and Scarlet Wisteria Tree.
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Growth
Sesbania grandiflora is a tropical evergreen tree that has a height and spread of 25 metres (82 feet) by 6 metres (20 feet). Hummingbird trees are intolerant to frost and cold temperatures and are high-maintenance in containers due to their fast-growth rate. These trees are recommended for Sub-Tropical and Tropical climates and will thrive in poor soils, full sun and lots of rain.
The leaves can reach as long as 30cm (12 inches) and have leaflets in 10-20 pairs while the red flowers are oblong to 10cm (4 inches) with 2-4 flower racemes. In some climates, flowering can occur all year.
One of the best benefits of a Hummingbird tree is to use the fallen leaf fronds as a world-class soil fertiliser. For nitrogen fixing, the leaves are used by agricultural farmers of many third-world countries to excellent effect.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
For additional information visit our Growers Notes page or the list of the best gardening websites or check out the article about how to use your waste at home as a natural fertiliser.
FAMILY:
Fabaceae
CLIMATE:
Sub Tropical and Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
10°C to 40°C / 50 to 104°F
SOIL TYPE:
Is tolerant of most types of soil.
LOCATION:
Full Sun
HEIGHT:
Up to 25 metres (82 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 6 metres (20 feet)
pH:
6.5-8.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Bees and Birds.
MATURITY:
18-24 months.
GERMINATION RATES:
80-90%
GERMINATION TIME:
10-21 days at 18-25°C / 65-77°F.
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Low
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 20
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes.
WEED POTENTIAL:
Yes
FACTS ABOUT SESBANIA GRANDIFLORA (Hummingbird Tree)
Sesbania grandiflora is used to make highly nutritional fodder for ruminants like cattle, though it can be deadly to chickens. In India, milk yield was increased by 8% when cattle were fed 5 kg fresh leaf/day. Throughout the dry season in Indonesia, as much as 70% of the livestock diets consist of the leaves of the Hummingbird tree.
The flowers of Sesbania grandiflora are eaten as a vegetable in much of south-east Asia. In Thailand they are called dok khae and are used raw or blanched in well-known curries such as Kaeng Som.
The crushed leaves are applied as a poultice to sprains, bruises, swellings and itching.
For more information regarding the Hummingbird Tree click here.
