Local Names

Amayeki (Sam), Daisa (Bor), Lusubasubi (Bak), Mukhule (Ida), Munyango (Kam), Mwethia (Kik), Natiatia (Elg), Olusabisabi (Ban), Oloyiangalani (Mas), Osao-sao, Osawo, Oyeiko, Sao-sao (Luo), Walbaiyondet (Nan), Walbeiondet (Tug).

Sesbania sesban is one of the few Kenya trees already in use, especially in western Kenya, as an agroforestry tree in intercropping. It is known as a good coffee shade and soil improver. It is left standing, wherever it grows, even in maize and sugar cane fields. Though it is lightweight and fast burning, women in parts of Kakamega use it as a primary source of firewood. S. sesban is a very widespread tree, being one of the first cultivated trees in ancient Egypt. (It is sometimes incorrectly called S. aegyptiaca). In some countries, flowers and leaves are eaten. Seeds, if soaked for three days and boiled half an hour to remove poison, also make a bean substitute. Cattle, sheep and goats eat the leaves, and the bark fibre can be used to make ropes. The tree makes a good understory windbreak or cropped area shelter belt. It is active in nitrogen fixing and coppices well. Its growth in gullies, on eroded sites and in swampy areas is good. Planting trees too densely in crops causes competition for moisture and nutrients.

Sesbania sesban is widespread in the wet-midlands. They thrive at the coast and extending elsewhere along streams or in swampy regions. The Egyptian strains are probably more drought tolerant, but even Kenyan varieties will grow almost anywhere with adequate ground water. Few trees though grow above 2000m. It has no specific soil preference, being tolerant of flooding, acid soils or wet sands, and some salinity. (Zone I, 1-5; II, 1-5; III, 1-5.)

Seed Information

An abundant seeder, the long cylindrical pods contain many small green, speckled seeds, which are about 3mm long and also cylindrical. Damaged seeds are often found in the pod, necessitating some cleaning. When kept dry and cool, they have long viability. Direct sowing on desired sites works well, because of its quick germination and extremely fast growth. It is known to have reached 5m in one year on good sites.

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