Family: Fabaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Sesbania grandiflora, commonly known as vegetable hummingbird, agati, or scarlet wisteria tree, is a fast-growing small tree native to Malesia and New Guinea. It is widely cultivated throughout tropical regions for its edible flowers, leaves, and young seed pods, which are used in traditional cuisines. The tree is easily recognized by its soft, open canopy, feathery compound leaves, and large, showy flowers that may be white, pink, or red. In addition to its value as a food plant, Sesbania grandiflora is used as a living fence, shade tree, fodder source, green manure crop, and ornamental landscape tree. Its ability to grow quickly and improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation has made it popular in agroforestry and sustainable farming systems.

Risks & Threats
In Hawaiʻi, Sesbania grandiflora has been reported as potentially naturalizing on Kauaʻi, meaning some plants may be reproducing outside of cultivation. However, available evidence indicates that it poses a relatively low risk of becoming invasive. The species is generally short-lived, tends to establish in disturbed habitats, and has not demonstrated widespread invasive behavior in Hawaiʻi or other tropical island ecosystems. While ongoing observation is appropriate to ensure populations remain limited, current information suggests that this tree presents minimal ecological threat. When managed responsibly, Sesbania grandiflora can be a useful multipurpose tree for tropical landscapes, food gardens, and agroforestry plantings.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized in some regions (e.g., American Samoa, S. Florida, West Indies)
  
• Potentially naturalizing on Kaua'i
  
• Widely introduced across tropics/subtropics
  
• Congeneric weed exists (S. exaltata)
  
• Propagules intentionally dispersed by people (food, medicine, ornamental)
  
• Hard-coated seeds form persistent seed bank (>1 yr)
  
• Early maturity (flowers in 1st year, seeds in 2nd)

Low Risk Traits:

• Not a significant weed (agricultural, environmental, or disturbance)
  
• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Palatable to livestock (not unpalatable)
  
• Non-toxic to humans and animals; edible
  
• Light-demanding (not shade-tolerant); fire-resistant
  
• Non-climbing, non-smothering; no dense thickets reported
  
• No specialized dispersal (wind, bird, external animal, or contaminant)
  
• Poor tolerance to repeated cutting (limits coppice spread)