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Useful Temperate Plants

Sesbania drummondii

(Rydb.) Cory

Fabaceae

+ Synonyms

Daubentonia drummondii Rydb.

Daubentonia texana Pierce

Common Name: Rattlebush

No Image.

General Information

Sesbania drummondii is a perennial plant with stems that become more or less woody, especially near the base; it can grow up to 4 metres tall[
274
Title
Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas
Publication
 
Author
Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J
Website
http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm
Publisher
Botanical Research Institute, Texas.
Year
1999
ISBN
1-889878-01-4
Description
An excellent flora, which is also available on-line.
].
The plant has potential for use as a biomass crop and hyperaccumulator plant on sites contaminated with heavy metals. It is occasionally grown as an ornamental.
Sesbania drummondii is widespread and common in its natural range. It is known to occur within the protected area network and there are no major threats to the species at present, therefore the population is believed to be stable. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

Known Hazards

As the seeds mature, they become loose in the pods and rattle when moved[
274
Title
Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas
Publication
 
Author
Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J
Website
http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm
Publisher
Botanical Research Institute, Texas.
Year
1999
ISBN
1-889878-01-4
Description
An excellent flora, which is also available on-line.
]. They contain sesbanimide, and are poisonous when eaten, affecting humans and various grazing animals - the toxins are probably saponins. The symptoms include diarrhoea, weakness, lethargy and sometimes death[
274
Title
Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas
Publication
 
Author
Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J
Website
http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm
Publisher
Botanical Research Institute, Texas.
Year
1999
ISBN
1-889878-01-4
Description
An excellent flora, which is also available on-line.
].
Although poisonous, saponins also have a range of medicinal applications and many saponin-rich plants are used in herbalism (particularly as emetics, expectorants and febrifuges) or as sources of raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry. Saponins are also found in a number of common foods, such as many beans.
Saponins have a quite bitter flavour and are in general poorly absorbed by the human body, so most pass through without harm. They can be removed by carefully leaching in running water. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also normally remove most of them. However, it is not advisable to eat large quantities of raw foods that contain saponins.
Saponins are much more toxic to many cold-blooded creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish and make them easy to catch[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Botanical References

274
Title
Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas
Publication
 
Author
Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J
Website
http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm
Publisher
Botanical Research Institute, Texas.
Year
1999
ISBN
1-889878-01-4
Description
An excellent flora, which is also available on-line.

Range

Southern N. America - northern Mexico, through Texas to Florida and South Carolina

Habitat

Mainly found in coastal areas, growing on sand dunes, on low wet grounds, frequently-inundated meadows and also in disturbed habitats such as along roadsides; at elevations up to 100 metres[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

Properties

Conservation StatusLeast Concern
HabitShrub
Height2.50 m
Growth RateFast
PollinatorsBees
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Ornamental

Cultivation Details

Sesbania drummondii is a subtropical plant and is not very cold tolerant, being damaged by temperatures down to around -4°c. In mild winter areas, although top growth may be killed off, the plant will often resprout from the lower 30 - 50cm of the stem.
Requires a sunny position, growing best in moist to wet soils.
Plants grow rapidly from seed and will usually flower in their second year.
Heavy pruning after flowering will often induce a second flush of flowers.
Similar to Sesbania punicea, the two species are known to hybridize in cultivation.
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[
1309
Title
The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
Publication
 
Author
Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin
Year
1981
ISBN
0-333-32221-5
Description
An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant can hyperaccumulate toxic metals including lead and cadnium[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
]. It has been shown to accumulate more than 4% lead in its shoots and , with its high bulk of organic matter, has potential for use in phytoremetiation projects where it can help to remove toxic metals whilst also rebuilding ssoil structure[
1602
Title
Characterization of a Lead Hyperaccumulator Shrub, Sesbania drummondii
Publication
Environ. Sci. Technol., 2002, 36 (21), pp 4676-4680
Author
Sahi S.V.; Bryant N.L.; Sharma N.C. & Singh S.R.
Website
http://10.1021/es020675x
Publisher
 
Year
2002
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and benefits from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing.
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-03-28. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Sesbania+drummondii>

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