Sesbania bispinosa aka Prickly Sesban

Sesbania bispinosa grows fast and belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae. People call it prickly sesban and dhaincha, among other names. Its native range covers tropical and subtropical Africa and Arabia. It also spans the Indian subcontinent, southern China and Indochina. It grows in marshes, ditches and along river edges. It grows on floodplains and salty ground, too. It also lives near brackish lagoons, where salt and fresh water mix.

This upright plant has long leaves and stems with fibres. The stems are a little woody. It may live for one year or several years. Garden accounts give a height of 3–7 feet [1–2 metres]. Its spread reaches about 3 feet [1 metre]. Other accounts give heights up to 10 feet [3 metres]. One summary gives an extreme height of 23 feet [7 metres]. Plants branch and spread when they have room. When crowded, they grow taller and straighter. Yellow flowers bear purple spots, and seedpods follow the blooms. Bees pollinate the flowers. Plants are self-fertile: they can set seed with their own pollen.

Grow it in full sun, not shade. It likes moist or wet ground but can grow without irrigation. It can grow in waterlogged soil as well. Sand, loam and heavy clay all suit it. It copes with poor soil, salt and strongly acid or alkaline soil. Reports give a soil pH range of 4.3 to 10. It suits warm tropical and subtropical climates. PFAF lists USDA hardiness zones 10–12. Sow seeds straight into the site where they will grow. Scarification, which breaks the hard seed coat, may help before sowing.

Farmers grow it as green manure and feed for livestock. It fixes nitrogen and adds organic matter to soil. It can help improve poor, salty or alkaline ground. Growers use it for hedges, shade and as an ornamental plant. Its stems supply fibre, material for paper and fuel. Gum from its seeds can replace guar gum. Its strong growth can cause problems in rice fields. Useful Tropical Plants lists its conservation status as Least Concern.

People cook the mature seeds, mostly when food is scarce. They also eat the flowers as vegetables. Both reference accounts report no known hazards. This does not prove that every part is safe to eat. Traditional medicine uses the leaves, flowers and seeds for several ailments. These records do not prove that the treatments work.