Sesbania bispinosa

Sesbania bispinosa, also known as Jantar or Dhaincha, is a species of flowering plant in the pea family, Fabaceae. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, but has been introduced to other parts of the world.

Description

Sesbania bispinosa is a short-lived, soft-wooded, loosely-branching tree with a rather open crown; it can grow 5 - 10 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 25 - 30cm in diameter. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, food and source of materials.

Distribution

Sesbania bispinosa is native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It has been introduced to other parts of the world, including Africa, Australia, and the United States.

Uses

The plant is used as a green manure, improving soil fertility for other crops. It is also used as a fodder crop, particularly for silage. The plant is considered to have medicinal properties and is used in traditional medicine in its native range. The young pods are edible and are often used in curries in India.

Cultivation

Sesbania bispinosa is a fast-growing plant that can be grown in a variety of soil types, including saline and alkaline soils. It is a sun-loving plant and requires good rainfall for growth.

See also

• List of Sesbania species
• Fabaceae
• Green manure
• Traditional medicine

External links

• Tropical Forages: Sesbania bispinosa