Sesbania grandiflora
Vegetable hummingbird (english)
Sesbania grandiflora, commonly known as Hummingbird Tree or Agati, is a versatile leguminous shrub prized in traditional medicine. Renowned for its nutritional density and therapeutic properties, it is utilized to treat inflammation, digestive issues, and skin ailments. This resilient plant serves as both a vital food source and medicine.
- Scientific name: Sesbania grandiflora
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Sesbania and the species Sesbania grandiflora.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Sesbania | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Sesbania grandiflora, is referred to by various common names across different languages and regions. In Dhivehi, it is called ފީރު މުރަނގަ ތޮޅި, while in Javanese, it is known as Turi. It is identified in Russian as Сесбания крупноцветковая, in Tamil as அகத்தி, and in Thai as แค.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| dv | ފީރު މުރަނގަ ތޮޅި | Wikidata |
| jv | Turi | Wikidata |
| ru | Сесбания крупноцветковая | Wikidata |
| ta | அகத்தி | Wikidata |
| th | แค | Wikidata |
| ace | Geuti | Wikidata |
| ms | Turi | Wikidata |
| to | Sepania | Wikidata |
| id | Turi | Wikidata |
| de | Turibaum | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical range that spans both Atlantic islands and the African mainland. Within the Macaronesia region, its presence is documented in Cape Verde. Moving to West Tropical Africa, the species is widely distributed across several key nations. It can be found growing in the territories of Benin, Ghana, and Guinea. Finally, its distribution extends further south into Nigeria, completing its regional footprint.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gabon | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Sesbania grandiflora, is a versatile medicinal species where almost every component offers therapeutic potential. The feathery, bipinnate leaves are frequently utilized in traditional medicine to treat inflammation and various skin ailments. The bright, large flowers are not only edible but are also valued for their nutritional content and their ability to aid in treating digestive issues. The seeds are often employed in herbal formulations to address specific systemic conditions, while the stem bark is harvested for its potent properties in managing swelling and pain. Finally, the roots are utilized in various traditional practices to treat a range of ailments, including fever and certain inflammatory conditions, making the entire plant a comprehensive resource in ethnobotany.- Total parts
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 11
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flowers | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flower | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Sesbania grandiflora has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include SF2, flavonoids, sesbagrandiflorain A, sesbagrandiflorain B.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| SF2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sesbagrandiflorain A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sesbagrandiflorain B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Sesbania grandiflora has 6 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Chemopreventive, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Chemopreventive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Sesbania grandiflora has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, anemia, anti-oxidant, bronchitis, cognitive decline.
- Total uses
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anti-oxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bronchitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cognitive decline | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| headache | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperglycemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lung cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tumors | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |