Red sesbania
Sesbania punicea
NEMBA category
English: Red Sesbania, Rattlebox, Brazilian Glory Pea, Coffee Weed, Rattlepod, Tango, Scarlet Sesban, Scarlet Wisteria, Chinese Wisteria, Rattlebush, Coffee Weed
Afrikaans: Rooisesbania, Brasiliaanse glorie-ertjie
Historical scientific names: Aeschynomene miniata, Daubentonia punicea, Emerus puniceus, Piscidia ovalifolia, Piscidia ovalis, Piscidia punicea, Sesbania tripetii
Sesbania punicea is a striking, deciduous shrub or small tree, highly ornamental due to its showy clusters of pea-like, red-orange to reddish-purple flowers. It is easily recognised by its pinnately compound leaves and distinctive four-winged seed pods.
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Origin:
South America (Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay).
Distinguishing features:
Deciduous shrub or small tree.
Drooping, pinnately compound leaves with numerous oblong leaflets.
Abundant, showy clusters of pea-like, bright red to orange-red flowers.
Unique four-winged, oblong seed pods that rattle when dry.
All parts of the plant are highly poisonous.
Overall appearance:
Sesbania punicea grows as an upright, often multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub or small tree. It has a graceful, somewhat weeping habit due to its drooping leaves and flower clusters. Its vibrant flowers make it visually appealing, especially when in bloom.
Height:
Typically grows 1 to 4 metres tall, but can sometimes reach up to 5 metres.
Width:
It can spread to a width of 1 to 2.5 metres, forming dense thickets.
Leaves:
The leaves are alternately arranged, pinnately compound (meaning they have multiple leaflets arranged along a central stem), and typically 10-20 cm long. Each leaf consists of 10-40 pairs of oblong to elliptical leaflets, each leaflet being about 1-3 cm long with entire (smooth) margins and a tiny pointed tip. The leaflets are dark green on the upper surface and paler underneath. The leaves are deciduous, falling in autumn.
Flowers:
The flowers are pea-like (papilionaceous) in shape, 2-3 cm long, and appear in showy, drooping racemes (dense sprays) that can be up to 25 cm long. Their colour ranges from vibrant red-orange to reddish-purple. Each flower consists of five fused petals and five fused sepals. The flowers are hermaphroditic, containing both male and female reproductive parts, so it is not dioecious.
Flowering season:
In South Africa, flowering generally occurs from spring to autumn (around September to March), often with a peak in late spring and summer.
Fruits:
The fruits are distinctive, oblong pods, 6-8 cm long and about 1-1.5 cm wide. A key feature is the presence of four prominent longitudinal wings running along the length of the pod. The pods are initially green, then turn darker green, and finally mature to a brown colour. They are segmented, with constrictions indicating the position of the seeds. The dry pods persist on the plant through winter and produce a characteristic rattling sound when shaken by the wind, hence the common name "Rattlebox" or "Rattlepod."
Seeds:
Each pod contains up to 10 seeds, which are typically small, hard, and light brown. The seeds are enclosed within compartments in the pod. A single plant can produce hundreds of pods, resulting in a large number of seeds. The seeds are highly buoyant and can be dispersed by water. They are also highly toxic.
Bark:
The bark on young stems is smooth and green, becoming reddish and then brownish as the branches mature. The main trunk develops a grey-brown to reddish-brown bark, which can be somewhat rough with prominent lenticels (small pores).
Thorns:
This plant does not have thorns.
Wood:
The wood is relatively soft and lightweight. It is not used for commercial timber.
Roots:
It has a fibrous root system that can be quite extensive, allowing it to establish readily in moist soils.
Soil type:
It is highly adaptable and can grow in a wide range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils, particularly those that are moist or waterlogged. It thrives in well-drained but consistently moist conditions and is often found in disturbed or degraded areas.
Aspect:
Prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It is not tolerant of severe frost.
Edibility:
All parts of Sesbania punicea, especially the seeds, leaves, and flowers, are highly toxic and not edible. They should never be consumed by humans or livestock.
Toxicity:
All parts of Sesbania punicea contain toxic compounds, primarily saponins and possibly alkaloids. The seeds are particularly poisonous. Ingestion can cause severe poisoning in humans, livestock, and birds. Symptoms can include severe gastrointestinal upset (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain), depression, weakness, convulsions, and even death. It is particularly dangerous for birds (e.g., chickens) and mammals if ingested.
Uses:
Primarily introduced and cultivated as an ornamental plant due to its attractive flowers. However, its high toxicity and invasive nature have led to its classification as a noxious weed, and its cultivation is now prohibited in many areas.
Ecology:
As a highly aggressive alien invasive species in South Africa, Sesbania punicea poses significant ecological threats, particularly in riparian zones and wetlands:
Forms dense, impenetrable thickets: It rapidly colonises riverbanks, wetlands, dams, and irrigation channels, forming dense, monocultural stands that exclude and outcompete indigenous riparian and wetland vegetation.
Alters water flow and habitat: Its dense growth can impede water flow in rivers and channels, potentially contributing to flooding. It alters the light conditions and water chemistry in invaded areas, negatively impacting aquatic biodiversity.
Displacement of indigenous vegetation: It outcompetes native plants for resources, leading to a drastic reduction in the biodiversity of sensitive wetland and riparian ecosystems.
Toxicity to wildlife and livestock: All parts of the plant are highly toxic, posing a risk to livestock and potentially native wildlife if ingested. While some birds might disperse the seeds, their actual consumption can be harmful.
Prolific seed production: Each plant produces numerous pods with viable seeds, which are easily dispersed by water (floating) and in mud, allowing for rapid spread.
Distribution and habitat:
In South Africa, Sesbania punicea is widespread and highly invasive, particularly in the higher rainfall, eastern regions. It is found in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and Free State. It heavily invades riparian areas, riverbanks, wetlands, dams, irrigation canals, ditches, and other moist or seasonally wet areas. It is also found in disturbed sites, roadsides, and cultivated land.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Sesbania is derived from "sesban," an Arabic word for Sesbania grandiflora.
The species name punicea is Latin for "purplish-red" or "scarlet," referring to the vibrant colour of its flowers.
Common names like "Rattlebox" or "Rattlepod" refer to the distinctive sound the dry pods make when agitated by wind. "Brazilian Glory Pea" points to its origin and ornamental pea-like flowers.
Historical aspects:
Sesbania punicea was introduced to South Africa as an ornamental plant, likely in the late 19th or early 20th century, valued for its showy flowers. Its ability to thrive in wet conditions and its prolific seed production quickly led to its escape from cultivation and establishment as a serious invader of watercourses and wetlands. Its high toxicity and ecological impact led to its classification as a declared invasive species. Biological control agents, such as the flower bud weevil (Trichapion lativentre) and seed weevil (Rhyssomatus marginatus), have been successfully released in South Africa to help manage its spread, significantly reducing seed production in many areas.
Interesting facts:
This plant has a built-in maraca! Its dry, four-winged pods contain seeds that rattle loudly when the wind blows them, which is why it's called "Rattlebox."
Despite its beautiful, showy red flowers, every single part of this plant, from the roots to the flowers and seeds, is highly poisonous. It's a prime example of "look but don't touch (or eat)!"
It's a real water-lover. You'll often find it growing right on the edge of rivers, dams, and wetlands, where it can quickly take over and form dense thickets.
Its seeds are like little boats; they float on water, which helps them spread easily along waterways and invade new areas downstream.
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