Sesbania grandiflora, commonly called Agati or the hummingbird tree, is a soft-wooded, fast-growing small tree native to South and Southeast Asia and grown across India. It reaches flowering size within a year or two and produces large, curved pea-like flowers in white or pink-red, followed by long slender pods.
In Indian kitchens its flowers (agathi/bok phool) and tender leaves are popular vegetables, especially in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Bengal. As a legume it fixes atmospheric nitrogen, so it is also planted as a quick-growing green manure, fodder and living fence in farms and home gardens.
Specifications
| Family |
Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Native region |
South and Southeast Asia, including India |
| Mature height |
6-12 m |
| Mature spread |
3-5 m |
| Growth rate |
Very fast |
| Foliage |
Deciduous, pinnately compound leaves with many small oblong leaflets |
| Flower colour |
White or pink to red |
| Flower season |
Autumn to winter (Sep-Feb), can flower much of the year in warm areas |
| Climate zone |
Tropical and subtropical; frost-sensitive |
Care guide
| Sunlight |
Full sun; needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for good growth and flowering. |
| Watering |
Moderate; water regularly while young. Established trees are fairly drought-tolerant but flower better with steady moisture. |
| Soil / mix |
Adaptable; prefers well-drained loamy soil but tolerates sandy, clay and even periodically waterlogged or saline soils. |
| Temperature |
Thrives in 22-40 C. Frost-sensitive; growth stops below about 10 C and cold can kill young trees. |
| Humidity |
Tolerates a wide range; suited to humid tropical and monsoon climates. |
| Fertilizer |
Light feeder as a legume; a little compost or balanced fertilizer at planting is enough. Avoid heavy nitrogen as it fixes its own. |
| Pruning |
Prune to keep low and bushy for easy flower and leaf harvest; trees can be cut back hard and will resprout vigorously. |
| Repotting |
Best grown in open ground; if potted use a large container and transplant to the ground within a year for proper development. |
| Propagation |
Easily grown from seed, which germinates fast; can also be raised from semi-hardwood cuttings. |
| Pests & problems |
Generally hardy; may face stem borers, leaf-eating caterpillars, aphids and occasional root or stem rot in waterlogged soil. |
| Toxicity / safety |
Flowers and leaves are widely eaten as food in India and are non-toxic when cooked; no significant toxicity to humans or pets is reported. |
| Difficulty |
Easy |
Uses
- Flowers and tender leaves are cooked as a nutritious vegetable in South Indian and Bengali cuisine (agathi keerai, bok phool).
- Nitrogen-fixing green manure that improves and enriches farm and garden soil.
- Fast-growing fodder for cattle, goats and other livestock.
- Quick shade, windbreak and living fence or support tree for crops like pepper and betel.
- Used in traditional Indian and Ayurvedic home remedies.
Growing tips
Sow seeds at the start of the monsoon (Jun-Jul) when warmth and moisture give the fastest establishment; seedlings can flower within the first year.
Pick a frost-free, sunny spot with free-draining soil. In North India protect young plants from winter cold. Pinch and prune the main stem early to keep the tree low so flowers and leaves stay within easy reach for harvest.
