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Scarlet Sesbane Sesbania punicea

Previously known as:

  • Daubentonia punicea
Phonetic Spelling
ses-BAN-ee-uh pun-IK-ee-uh
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Scarlet sesbane is a deciduous shrub or small tree in the coffee family that is native to South America. It has spread to the coastal plains of the USA and become invasive in some areas. It will grow to 15 feet tall and spread quickly, taking over native plant habitats. Even though it prefers wet sites, it has been found growing in moist disturbed areas as well. The flowers appear all summer and the seed pods remain on the plant all winter, rattling in the wind. The compound leaves are also attractive.

This plant prefers wet to moist slightly acidic soils in full sun to part shade. Even though it has been used as an ornamental, it is best not to plant it. There are some suggestions for native or non-invasive small trees to the left.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#poisonous#red flowers#wetlands#long bloom time#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#poisonous#red flowers#wetlands#long bloom time#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Sesbania
    Species:
    punicea
    Family:
    Fabaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasional Flooding
    Occasionally Wet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Legume
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    The 4-6 inch fruit is a 4-winged pod with slight constrictions and partitions between the seeds. The remain on the plant through winter and rattle in the wind. They can be dispersed by water
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Irregular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are pea-like, red-orange or reddish purple, in drooping clusters. They have 5 fused petals and 5 fused sepals
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The 5-6 inch long compound leaves alternate, pinnately divided with 6-20 pairs of leaflets with smooth margins. Oblong leaflets are 1 inch long with a pointed tip.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Lenticels
    Bark Description:
    The bark is gray-brown to red-brown with obvious horizontal lenticels.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Wiry green stems
  • Landscape:
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Children
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weakness, depression, respiratory failure; may be fatal.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Saponic glycosides.
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Leaves
    Seeds