Sesbania drummondii (Rydb.) Cory

Poison Bean; Rattle Bush; Rattle Bean

Shrub

Perennial

Vascular

Rattle Bush is a native shrub in the Bean family (Fabaceae). It can be found in central and south Alabama. Rattle Bush occurs in coastal marshes, on dunes, in swamps, and along rivers, often growing in shallow water. It is also sometimes cultivated and may persist or spread in disturbed wet areas, ditches, and low fields around homes. Rattle Bush is a woody shrub growing 6-9 feet tall. Top portions of the plant are often winter killed, and abundant sprouts emerge from the lower 1-2 feet of the trunk. The trunk and older stems have rough reddish-brown bark. Young stems are green. Leaves are alternate, pinnately compound, and glabrous. Leaves have 10-20 pairs of elliptic leaflets. Flowers are produced in racemes. Each raceme has 7-20 flowers. Flowers are papilionaceous and lemon yellow in color. The fruit is a 4-winged woody legume with 6-8 seed. All parts of the plant are toxic if consumed. Rattle Bush is very similar to the introduced Scarlet Wisteria Tree (Sesbania punicea (Cavanilles) Bentham), and the two are known to hybridize. Rattle Bush is occasionally cultivated. Plants grow rapidly from seed, and will flower in the second year. Rattle Bush requires wet soil and full sun. Heavy pruning after flowering will encourage a second flowering.--A. Diamond

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Native FACW (NWPL)

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