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Red sesbania (Sesbania punicea)

Red sesbania is not known to be naturalised in Victoria, but the assessment identifies areas with suitable climate and habitat where it could establish. Dense thickets can block access to waterways, displace native plants and impede water flow, and all parts of the plant, especially the seeds, are toxic.

Key facts

Type: Weed, shrub.

Native to: Seasonally flooded areas of Venezuela.

Established in: .

Other names: scarlet wisteria.

Identification

  • A shrub or small tree reported to grow up to 4 m tall, or 3 to 10 feet tall with a 5-foot spread.
  • Its showy, orange-red, pea-like flowers are 2 to 3 cm long and grow in drooping racemes 8 to 25 cm long.
  • It can form dense, impenetrable thickets along riverbanks and in wetlands.

Where it grows

In Victoria it is not known to be naturalised, but the assessment identifies potential habitat including riparian areas, wetlands, riverine vegetation, damp forests and some agricultural land uses.

Why it matters

  • Dense stands can restrict access to waterways and reduce opportunities for fishing, boating and other recreation.
  • Thickets can displace native plants and associated wildlife, and may reduce habitat and biodiversity in riparian areas.
  • Dense growth can impede water flow, contribute to flooding and erosion, and affect water quality.
  • All parts of the plant are poisonous, particularly the seeds, and ingestion may be fatal to people and animals.

How it spreads

  • Birds spread the fruits away from plantings, and seeds are also dispersed by water.
  • A mature plant can produce 100 to 300 pods per season, with 4 to 10 seeds in each fruit.
  • Seeds are hard-coated and can remain viable for several years.

Control options

  • For a confirmed plant or suspected infestation, contact the relevant local biosecurity authority for advice.
  • Use only registered herbicides or approved methods, following the product label and local requirements.

Hygiene and washdown

  • Because seeds can be spread by water, clean soil and plant material from equipment and footwear after working in wet or riparian areas.
  • Avoid moving potentially contaminated soil or plant material to uninfested sites.
  • Inspect and clean vehicles, plant and footwear before leaving an infested area, paying attention to tyres, radiators, belly plates, tracks and floor mats.
  • Wash down at a designated bay where runoff is contained and can be monitored for seedlings.
  • Record each washdown so the client has evidence of clean entry and exit.

Classification by state

  • Australia (national): No national listing. Managed under state and territory law.
  • Queensland: Prohibited matter. Report it to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 within 24 hours and do not move or deal with it. Everyone must also take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise its risks (the general biosecurity obligation).
  • New South Wales: Not a priority weed. Not a state or regional priority weed in NSW. The general biosecurity duty applies: anyone dealing with it must prevent, eliminate or minimise the risk it poses.
  • Victoria: Not declared. Not declared under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. Other Victorian laws may still apply.
  • South Australia: Not declared. Not declared under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019. Other laws may still apply.
  • Western Australia: Not listed. Not found in the Western Australian Organism List. Check with DPIRD before moving or keeping it.
  • Tasmania: Not declared. Not a declared weed in Tasmania. Other laws may still apply.
  • Northern Territory: Check NT list. There is no NT weed profile for it. Check the NT declared weeds list for its current status.
  • Australian Capital Territory: Not declared. Not declared under the Biosecurity Act 2023 (ACT). A general biosecurity duty still applies.

Legal obligations

Every state and territory places a duty on landholders and people working on land to prevent the spread of invasive species, such as the general biosecurity obligation in Queensland and the general biosecurity duty in New South Wales. Declarations and control requirements differ between states and local government areas, so check the current official list before work starts.

Sources