Sesban (Sesbania sesban)

Family: Fabaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Sesbania sesban, otherwise known as Sesban or Egyptian river hemp is a nitrogen-fixing tree belonging in the legume family. It grows up to 7 m in height with many side branches from low down on the bole. It is vigorous but short-lived, living only up to 10 years. The flowers can be cooked and the leaves are eaten as a vegetable. The seeds can be grounded into a powder and fermented to make a paste used as a flavoring.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves, Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

flavouring. — Flowers - cooked.; They are included, perhaps as a decorative or festive ingredient, in foods such as omelettes.; The leaves and flowers are eaten as vegetable.; The seeds are ground into a powder and fermented to make a paste, known as 'soumbara', used as a flavouring.

Habitat & North American Range

Common along streams, swamp banks and moist and inundated bottomlands. (Zone 10)