Dragon Tree

Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Sesbania
Species: formosa
Main Flower Colour: White

Description

A native of northern Australia, it is found in the Pilbara and Kimberley areas and eastward into Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. It also grows in a small area on the western side of the Cape York peninsular, Queensland. This species occurs in the hot arid, hot semi-arid, hot sub-humid and hot humid zones. It dislikes frost. Growing along river banks, in depressions or in areas where a high groundwater table exists. It grows on alluvial plains where the soil varies from deep sands to heavy, black, alkaline clays. It will tolerate saline or waterlogged conditions.

Flowering start in May and ends in June.

Identification

The main flower colour is white. A very fast growing tree to 12 metres tall with few upright branches. The bark is pale grey, furrowed and corky, the young branches being finely hairy. Leaves are pinnate to 40 cm long with up to 20 leaflet pairs. The pea-shaped white or yellowish-white flowers are 7 to 12 cm long in clusters of 2 to 7 flowers.

Uses

The leaves and flowers are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked; the leaves are steamed, boiled or sauteed in Indonesia and India. Australian Aboriginals used an infusion from the inner bark for treating sores and general illness.

References

http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/species-bank/sbank-treatment.pl?id=6491Created: 16 Apr 2014 - MickO
Updated: 17 Apr 2014 - Member - John and Val

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Location

Bio Regions

Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Victoria Bonaparte (VIB)

Region Specifics

A native of northern Australia, it is found in the Pilbara and Kimberley areas and eastward into Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. It also grows in a small area on the western side of the Cape York peninsular, Queensland.

Related Blogs

The following are links to Members' Blogs that contain the words "Dragon Tree" OR "Sesbania" OR "Fabaceae". Creating Blogs is restricted to Members only. Not a Member? Join here.

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