Bigpod sesbania (Sesbania herbacea, Fl. Novo-Galiciana 5: 695 (1987))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (Mill.) McVaugh

Bibliography: Fl. Novo-Galiciana 5: 695 (1987)

Year: 1987

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Sesbania

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. America

Description

Bigpod sesbania, scientifically known as Sesbania herbacea, is a fascinating plant within the Fabaceae family. This species is notable for its adaptability to both tropical and subtropical climates across the Americas.

First formally described in the Flora Novo-Galiciana in 1987, as cited by the author McVaugh, Bigpod sesbania thrives in diverse environments. Its presence in these regions signifies its robust nature, capable of enduring varying weather conditions and soil types.

Belonging to the Fabaceae family, which is renowned for its nitrogen-fixing abilities, Bigpod sesbania plays an essential ecological role. By enhancing soil fertility, it supports sustainable agricultural practices and improves soil health. This characteristic makes it not only an interesting plant for botanists but also a valuable ally in environmental management.

The plant’s morphology includes large, distinctive pods, which contribute to its common name. These pods house the seeds and are an integral part of Bigpod sesbania’s reproductive strategy, facilitating the spread and proliferation of the species across suitable habitats.

Overall, Sesbania herbacea is a noteworthy member of the plant kingdom, with significant ecological benefits and a remarkable ability to adapt to varied climates throughout tropical and subtropical America.

Common Names

Eng: colorado riverhemp, bigpod sesbania
Fra: sesbanie à gros fruits
En: Bigpod sesbania, Colorado riverhemp, Peatree, HEMP SESBANIA
Fi: Tikaskolibrinpapu
Fr: Sesbanie à gros fruits

Synonyms

• Sesbania emerus ((Aubl.) Urb.)
• Cytisus tetragonus (Sessé & Moc.)
• Darwinia exaltata (Raf.)
• Sesbania sonorae (Rydb.)
• Sesbania macrocarpa var. picta (S.Watson)
• Sesbania picta (Lindl. ex Griseb.)
• Sesbania occidentalis ((Willd.) Poir.)
• Emerus sesban var. occidentalis ((Willd.) Kuntze)
• Sesbania occidentalis var. multijuga (Griseb.)
• Sesbania occidentalis var. pubescens (Griseb.)
• Aeschynomene emerus (Aubl.)
• Sesbania exaltata ((Raf.) Rydb.)
• Coronilla occidentalis (Willd.)
• Sesbania cassioides (G.Don)
• Emerus herbaceus (Mill.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• California (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Florida (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Kazan-retto (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Sep 30, 2021 by Bradford Carter (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 27, 2022 by Paul Christensen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 10, 2020 by Arreola oscar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 2, 2022 by Maruthukumar K (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 30, 2022 by Jean3 Alicea (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Nov 26, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Oct 21, 2015 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Oct 21, 2015 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 30, 2021 by Bradford Carter (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 30, 2022 by Doug Todd (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 29, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Oct 29, 2019 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Mar 3, 2017 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Mar 3, 2017 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Mar 3, 2017 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Flower

Taken Aug 9, 2021 by Tommy Duncan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 25, 2021 by Doc Lingo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 3, 2021 by erick cuevas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 3, 2021 by erick cuevas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2020 by Amanda Fleming (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Oct 29, 2019 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2970585)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Sesbania herbacea (Mill.) McVaugh)
• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:284993-2)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Subshrub, Forb/herb

Growth