Red sesbania

Alert

Have you seen Red sesbania?

Be on the lookout for Red sesbania and report it to Biosecurity Queensland. Early detection and reporting are the key elements in preventing Red sesbania from becoming a major problem in Queensland.

Call us on 13 25 23.

Red sesbania flower

Red sesbania flower

© Eric Hunt Creative Commons

Red sesbania flower

Red sesbania flower

© MLH Radio Creative Commons

Red sesbania fruit

Red sesbania fruit

© Barry Rice Creative Commons

Red sesbania in water

Red sesbania in water

© F & K Starr Creative Commons

Red sesbania leaves and flowers

Red sesbania leaves & flowers

© John Byrd Creative Commons

Native to South America, red sesbania is a deciduous shrub or tree with many slender branches. It is a poisonous plant that forms dense infestations along waterways. Red sesbania is a serious invasive plant in South Africa, and has also been reported in Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

Red sesbania has not yet been found in Queensland. It has the potential to become a serious problem if introduced and planted in gardens in Queensland.

You must take reasonable action to minimise the risk of spreading Red sesbania to ensure the situation isn't worsened.

You must report all sightings to Biosecurity Queensland within 24 hours.

Scientific name

Sesbania punicea

Description

  • Deciduous shrub or tree up to 4m tall with many slender branches and distinctive winged seed pods.
  • Flowers are bright red in hanging clusters 20mm long.
  • Leaves are dark green, 100–200mm long, ending in tiny, pointed tips.
  • Pods are brown, 60–80mm long, 10mm wide, tip sharply pointed, contain 4–10 seeds.

Habitat

  • Prefers banks of creeks and rivers.

Distribution

  • Not known to occur in Queensland.

Life cycle

  • Flowers in late spring to autumn.
  • Seed pods persist on plant through winter.

Affected animals

  • Birds
  • Mammals

Impacts

Environmental

  • Poisonous plant.
  • Forms dense infestations along banks of creeks and rivers.

How it is spread

  • Spread by water currents.

Prevention

Control

Legal requirements

  • Red sesbania is a prohibited invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
  • You must not keep, move, give away, sell or release into the environment. Penalties may apply.
  • You must not take any action reasonably likely to exacerbate the biosecurity threat posed by red sesbania.
  • You must take any action that is reasonably likely to minimise the biosecurity threat posed by red sesbania.
  • You must report all sightings to Biosecurity Queensland within 24 hours.

Further information

  • Last reviewed: 30 Sep 2021
  • Last updated: 30 Sep 2021