Sesbania microphylla

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It grows in water. It grows 1-4 m high. It is slightly woody. The leaves are compound with 5-30 pairs of leaflets. They are narrow and pale green and softly hairy underneath. The flowers are yellow with purple spots. The fruit are small narrow pods. The seeds are dark purplish brown.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant It grows in permanently water logged clay soils. It grows between 850-1,200 m above sea level. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 1,000-1,300 mm. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Chad, Congo, East Africa, Namibia, Southern Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Lirearea, Mutwe, Okashemetele

Synonyms

Sesbania leptocarpa sensu Cronq.; Sesbania mossambicensis sensu E. Phillips & Hutch.;