Sesbania egyptica

Softly woody shrub or small tree, the stem up to 10 cm. in diameter, branched from near the base. Branchlets glabrous or almost so, rarely somewhat aculeate.

Leaves glabrous except for a few hairs on the pulvinus and at the bases of the petiolules, stipules ovate-lanceolate, the sutures, not, or but slightly and irregularly, torulose. Inflorescences are 30 cm long racemes bearing 2 to 20 yellow flowers with purple or brown streaks. Fruits are linear or slightly curved pods. Pods contain 10 to 50 seeds. Seeds brown, not mottled. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is used for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. In the form of an ointment, it relieves itching and is used to treat skin eruptions. A multipurpose plant, providing food, medicines, fiber, fuel etc, mainly for local use.