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Red sesbania

Pest alert

If you have seen this plant

Call QPIF  13 25 23

Photo of the Red Sesbania

Red sesbania flower

Photo of the Red Sesbania

Red sesbania

General information

Red sesbania (Sesbania punicea) is a Class 1 declared pest plant in Queensland. Class 1 pests established in Queensland are subject to eradication from the state. Landowners must take reasonable steps to keep land free of Class 1 pests. It is a serious offence to introduce, keep or supply a Class 1 pest without a permit issued by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. Penalties of up to $60,000 apply.

Red sesbania is deciduous shrub or tree from South America with many slender branches.

Overview

Scientific name

Sesbania punicea
Impacts
  • forms dense infestations along creek and river banks
  • is a poisonous plant
Description
  • up to 4 m high with distinctive winged seed pods
  • flowers are bright red in hanging clusters 20 mm long
  • leaves are dark green, dropping, 100-200 mm long ending in tiny, pointed tips
  • pods are brown, 60-80 mm long x 10 mm wide, tip sharply pointed containing 4-10 seeds
Habitat and distribution
  • a serious weed in South Africa, also reported in Lesotho and Zimbabwe
  • while red sesbania is not known to exist in Queensland, it has the potential to become a serious pest if introduced and planted in gardens
Declaration details
  • a declared Class 1 plant under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002
  • importation, possession and sale is prohibited
  • landowners are required by law to keep their land free of this plant
Further information

Author: Sonia Jordan
Page maintained by Sonia Jordan
Last updated 11 September 2007
URL: http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/cps/rde/xchg/dpi/hs.xsl/cps/rde/dpi/hs.xsl/4790_7346_ENA_HTML.htm

© The State of Queensland, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries 1995 - 2009.
Copyright protects this material. Except as permitted by the Copyright Act, reproduction by any means (photocopying, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise), making available online, electronic transmission or other publication of this material is prohibited without the prior written permission of The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland. Inquiries should be addressed to copyright@dpi.qld.gov.au (Queensland residents phone 13 25 23; non-Queensland residents phone 61 7 3404 6999).