Sesbania grandiflora

Common Names: Katuray (Tagalog), Turi (Visayan), Vegetable Hummingbird
Family: Fabaceae
Type: Fast-growing small tree or shrub
Lifespan: 2–5 years (short-lived perennial)

Key Benefits

• Nitrogen-fixing – improves soil fertility
• Edible flowers & leaves – used in Filipino and Southeast Asian cuisine
• Forage – palatable to livestock
• Medicinal – used for digestive, respiratory, and inflammatory conditions
• Windbreak or fence line – supports other crops like agarwood, banana, or chili

Ideal Growing Conditions

Propagation

• By Seeds (most common method)

1. Scarify seeds (lightly nick or soak in warm water for 12–24 hours).
2. Sow in nursery bags or directly in field.
3. Germinates in 3–7 days.
4. Transplant when seedlings are 30–40 cm tall (~3–4 weeks).

Planting Guidelines

• Spacing: 1–2 meters apart (for hedgerows), 3–4 meters (for trees)
• Planting season: Start of rainy season (May–July)
• Hole size: 30x30x30 cm; mix with compost or aged manure
• Watering: Daily for first 1–2 weeks, then reduce as roots establish

Maintenance

Harvest & Use

• Flowers: Harvest when half to fully bloomed. Used in salads, soups, or sautéed.
• Leaves: Young leaves used in teas or cooked dishes.
• Green manure: Chop branches and spread around crops as mulch.

Precautions

• Leaves and flowers contain saponins—should be cooked before eating to remove bitterness.
• Avoid excessive consumption if pregnant or nursing.