DISTRIBUTION:
Originally from South America, it is an escaped exotic and a declared weed that has to be eradicated in South Africa. Found especially along watercourses and on disturbed soil.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION:
General: A deciduous shrub or small tree.
Leaves: Drooping, compound dark green leaves.
Flowers: Red or orange pea-like flowers in dense sprays. Spring - early summer.
Fruit: The seeds are carried in a characteristic long four-winged pod with a sharply pointed tip.
TOXIC PRINCIPLE:
Sesbanimide (a cyclohexamide) and related compounds.
Toxicity:
• Sesbanimide: highly toxic
• Seeds: c.0,5 to 1 g / kg (6 seeds for a pigeon)
• Seeds must be broken in g.i.t. to be toxic.
• Waterfowl much less susceptible, because the seeds are not broken.
• Plant leaves and flowers much less toxic
• Toxin cumulative.
SYSTEMS AFFECTED:
Gastro-intestinal system.
CLINICAL SIGNS:
An intoxication of birds, especially pigeons and chickens associated with diarrhoea when ingesting seeds of the plant.
• Depression and weakness
• Ruffled feathers, drooping wings
• Vomition (pigeons)
• Diarrhoea.
NECROPSY:
Proventricular hyperaemia and haemorrhages.
TREATMENT:
Prevention: Avoid seeds, for birds especially. Potentially toxic to all species. Regard all Sesbania spp with suspicion.
