Hi everyone, I am new to the forums.
I have recently started growing a bunch of royal poinciana trees from seeds from my adult tree. However, something weird sprouted out of one of my pots that is definitely not a royal poinciana, yet kind of looks like one? It is growing ridiculously fast, stems are all still green, but it is VERY tall, like, 5+ feet tall. And already it has these cute little red flowers. You can see my baby royal poinciana in a pot next to it for size reference. I live in Florida. Is this a weed or a tree? I'd appreciate some help identifying this. Thank you!

Maybe Hemp sesbania. Its a really tall weed.

I agree it looks like Sesbania. Probably Sesbania herbacea.

Yup, definitely looks like that to me from comparison on google. Thanks! Shame it's only a weed. I thought it looked pretty cool.

okapizebra said:Yup, definitely looks like that to me from comparison on google. Thanks! Shame it's only a weed. I thought it looked pretty cool.

The term weed is subjective. There are lots of plants grown by some that are considered weeds by others. According to this article by USDA it is useful as a cover crop and beneficial to wildlife. I think if you like it, you should growing it.

Horntoad said:
The term weed is subjective. There are lots of plants grown by some that are considered weeds by others. According to this article by USDA it is useful as a cover crop and beneficial to wildlife. I think if you like it, you should grow it.

That Sesbania is gorgeous... Save me some seed...

I have Sesbania herbacea and... Had 11 foot tall specimens last year...



Sesbania herbacea has yellow flowers.

You might have Sesbania punIcea.
http://www.co.contra-costa.ca....

stone said:
Sesbania herbacea has yellow flowers.

http://www.co.contra-costa.ca....

Not always.
https://bwwellsassociation.wor...

Also Sesbania punicea usually has much larger clusters of flowers. It could be Sesbania vesicaria though. Really need to see the seed pods to know for sure.

Thanks, I shoulda did a bit of research before going out on a limb...
Very pretty pictures in that blog post!

I certainly don't plan on ripping it out. The only problem is that it sprouted in the middle of my aloe. Perhaps I'll move the aloe into a different pot.

Am I right to assume that it will produce pods soon since it is flowering?

If I plant it in the yard, should I worry about it spreading and taking over?

Thanks everyone!

okapizebra said:
Am I right to assume that it will produce pods soon since it is flowering?

If I plant it in the yard, should I worry about it spreading and taking over?

Thanks everyone!

You should start to see pods soon after the flowers drop. When it does be sure to post pictures. That will determine for sure whether it is Sesbania herbacea or not.

I doubt that it will take over the yard. In grass areas it will have to compete with the grass and also get mowed down before it can get established. In the garden is more likely and they should be easy to control with normal weeding.

Great! I will definitely post pictures.

okapizebra said:I certainly don't plan on ripping it out. The only problem is that it sprouted in the middle of my aloe. Perhaps I'll move the aloe into a different pot.

Am I right to assume that it will produce pods soon since it is flowering?

If I plant it in the yard, should I worry about it spreading and taking over?

I wouldn't bother moving anything.
at my house sesbania is an annual.... will die soon after setting seed.

and... even in the veggie garden, there's no problems.

If i get a lot of seedlings, they pull easily... not much root, and the compost pile needs greens.

Last winter I pulled out the finished plant and left it on top of a bed.
this spring I filled my starter pots from that bed, and had seedlings come up in some of the pots where the seeds that I planted didn't make it... I set out the sesbania in new beds... looks very nice.

Ah ok, I see. Thank you!

I officially have pods! They are long and slender. Definitely looking like herbacea to me. Here are pics.

Sesbania herbacea, I enjoy growing these. It's easy to care for.

okapizebra said:

Hi everyone, I am new to the forums.
I have recently started growing a bunch of royal poinciana trees from seeds from my adult tree. However, something weird sprouted out of one of my pots that is definitely not a royal poinciana, yet kind of looks like one? It is growing ridiculously fast, stems are all still green, but it is VERY tall, like, 5+ feet tall. And already it


has these cute little red flowers. You can see my baby royal poinciana in a pot next to it for size reference. I live in Florida. Is this a weed or a tree? I'd appreciate some help identifying this. Thank you!

Hi, on the first pic, what is the plant on the right in the black pot??