This small ornamental tree with a straight trunk produces a mass of large, 3-4" white flowers resembling little birds. Its lower branches create a floral canopy from November to June. Tolerates flooding. The flower is large and distinctively curved. Vertical pods, located near the flowers, can contain up to 20 seeds. The tender leaves, green fruit, and flowers are eaten alone as a vegetable or mixed into curries or salads. Flowers may be dipped in batter and fried in butter. Tender portions serve as cattle fodder. Ripe pods apparently are not eaten. The inner bark can serve as fiber and the white, softwood not too durable, can be used for cork. The wood is used, like bamboo, in Asian construction. The tree is grown as an ornamental shade tree and for reforestation. Bark, leaves, gums, and flowers are considered medicinal. In Java, the tree is extensively used as a pulp source. A gum resembling kino (called katurai), fresh when red, nearly black after exposure, exudes from wounds. This astringent gum is partially soluble in water and in alcohol but applied to the fishing cord, it makes it more durable. Pepper vines (Piper nigrum) are sometimes grown on and in the shade of the agati. Dried and powdered bark is used as a cosmetic in Java. An aqueous extract of the bark is said to be toxic to cockroaches.Count: ~ 5
Sun Exposure Full sun from an early age Light shade when young Frost Tolerance Severe Water Requirements Moderate Drought Tolerance Yes Wind Tolerance High Tolerance of Coastal Conditions YesThe Hummingbird Tree is a small, tropical tree in the legume family that has large, beautiful pinkish-red or white flowers and feathery, pinnate leaves. The flowers resemble hummingbirds in flight. The flowers, young bean pods and leaves are edible and are used as a vegetable throughout southeastern Asia. It is also known as the vegetable hummingbird and the agati sesbania. It has a fast growth rate. It is native to Malaysia and Australia. The root, leaf, bark, and flower all have medicinal properties. It is very attractive to pollinators and birds as well. In Asia, the wood is used like bamboo for light construction and in reforestation efforts and as a shade plant for coconut seedlings. It grows wild in tropical lowlands and fields and along roadsides. It is often grown as an ornamental in the tropics. Growing Instructions 1. The seeds like moist, well-drained soil. Prepare a mixture of half potting soil and half sand, perlite or vermiculite. Put the soil in a pot. Water the mixture so that it is moist but not wet. 2. Put the seeds on the soil. 3. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil. 4. Water the seeds. 5. Place the pots in an area with warm temperatures in full sun or part shade. 6. When the seedlings are a few inches tall, they can be transplanted.How do you care for Sesbania grandiflora? Requires a sunny position for best growth[404 ]. Prefers a fertile, moist but well-drained moderately light soil, though it succeeds in light sandy, medium, heavy clayey and low fertility soils[200 , 302 , 404 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 8.5, but can tolerate acid conditions down to 4.5[404 ].Germination Plant seeds in a good garden soil that is well-drained fertile soil. During growth, use a tutor. The tutor can even be used after growth. Fertilizer can be used once a week during growth. This plant enjoys a sunny spot. Germination takes 15-30 days, it can be longer, don’t get discouraged.Germinating Palm Seeds The following instructions will work for most species.If the seeds appear dry, soak them in warm water for 1-3 days. For sowing, use peat, coco fiber, or a similar medium. It should be moist but not wet. Take a fistful. If you can just squeeze a couple of drops of water from it, then it is about right. If you can squeeze more, then it is too wet. If too dry, add a little water and try again. Mix the seeds with the moist compost and place them into a clear plastic (Ziploc) bag, label with species name and date, and seal.No light is required for germination. Tropical species such as Licuala, Bismarckia, or Cyrtostachys require heat, around 30°C/90°F. Temperate species such as Trachycarpus, Ceroxylon, or Parajubaea will germinate at lower temperatures, and heat may actually prevent germination. You may want to check the species descriptions for individual requirements.Check weekly for signs of activity by looking for white roots through the plastic. Ensure that the medium does not dry out. The seeds can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 years (or more) to germinate; however, most will sprout after 4-6 weeks.After the seeds have sprouted, plant each in a tall, narrow pot using a well-drained medium, label, and place in ample light, but not in full sun. Aim to keep the soil moist (but not wet) at all times. Feed and repot as required.More information can be found in the comments on the species pages. We also recommend consulting one of the many books on palms available through this website, as well as articles on the internet:
Sun Exposure Full sun from an early age Light shade when young Frost Tolerance Severe Water Requirements Moderate Drought Tolerance Yes Wind Tolerance High Tolerance of Coastal Conditions YesThe Hummingbird Tree is a small, tropical tree in the legume family that has large, beautiful pinkish-red or white flowers and feathery, pinnate leaves. The flowers resemble hummingbirds in flight. The flowers, young bean pods and leaves are edible and are used as a vegetable throughout southeastern Asia. It is also known as the vegetable hummingbird and the agati sesbania. It has a fast growth rate. It is native to Malaysia and Australia. The root, leaf, bark, and flower all have medicinal properties. It is very attractive to pollinators and birds as well. In Asia, the wood is used like bamboo for light construction and in reforestation efforts and as a shade plant for coconut seedlings. It grows wild in tropical lowlands and fields and along roadsides. It is often grown as an ornamental in the tropics. Growing Instructions 1. The seeds like moist, well-drained soil. Prepare a mixture of half potting soil and half sand, perlite or vermiculite. Put the soil in a pot. Water the mixture so that it is moist but not wet. 2. Put the seeds on the soil. 3. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil. 4. Water the seeds. 5. Place the pots in an area with warm temperatures in full sun or part shade. 6. When the seedlings are a few inches tall, they can be transplanted.How do you care for Sesbania grandiflora? Requires a sunny position for best growth[404 ]. Prefers a fertile, moist but well-drained moderately light soil, though it succeeds in light sandy, medium, heavy clayey and low fertility soils[200 , 302 , 404 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 8.5, but can tolerate acid conditions down to 4.5[404 ].Germination Plant seeds in a good garden soil that is well-drained fertile soil. During growth, use a tutor. The tutor can even be used after growth. Fertilizer can be used once a week during growth. This plant enjoys a sunny spot. Germination takes 15-30 days, it can be longer, don’t get discouraged.Germinating Palm Seeds The following instructions will work for most species.If the seeds appear dry, soak them in warm water for 1-3 days. For sowing, use peat, coco fiber, or a similar medium. It should be moist but not wet. Take a fistful. If you can just squeeze a couple of drops of water from it, then it is about right. If you can squeeze more, then it is too wet. If too dry, add a little water and try again. Mix the seeds with the moist compost and place them into a clear plastic (Ziploc) bag, label with species name and date, and seal.No light is required for germination. Tropical species such as Licuala, Bismarckia, or Cyrtostachys require heat, around 30°C/90°F. Temperate species such as Trachycarpus, Ceroxylon, or Parajubaea will germinate at lower temperatures, and heat may actually prevent germination. You may want to check the species descriptions for individual requirements.Check weekly for signs of activity by looking for white roots through the plastic. Ensure that the medium does not dry out. The seeds can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 years (or more) to germinate; however, most will sprout after 4-6 weeks.After the seeds have sprouted, plant each in a tall, narrow pot using a well-drained medium, label, and place in ample light, but not in full sun. Aim to keep the soil moist (but not wet) at all times. Feed and repot as required.More information can be found in the comments on the species pages. We also recommend consulting one of the many books on palms available through this website, as well as articles on the internet: