Harman Patil (Editor)

Sesbania tomentosa

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Kingdom
  
Plantae

Family
  
Fabaceae

Scientific name
  
Sesbania tomentosa

Rank
  
Species

Order
  
Fabales

Genus
  
Sesbania

Higher classification
  
Sesbania

Sesbania tomentosa httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

Similar
  
Sesbania, Legumes, Myoporum sandwicense, Sida fallax, Sesbania drummondii

Sesbania tomentosa, commonly known as Oahu riverhemp and ʻŌhai, is an endangered species of flowering plant in the pea family, Fabaceae, that is endemic to the main Hawaiian Islands as well as Nihoa and Necker Island. It inhabits low shrublands and, rarely, dry forests, at elevations from sea level to 2,500 ft (760 m). Associated native plant species include akiʻaki (Sporobolus virginicus), ilima (Sida fallax), naupaka kahakai (Scaevola taccada), and pili (Heteropogon contortus). Off-road vehicles, wildfires, grazing, and alien species competition have destroyed their habitat on the main islands, but they are still quite common on Nihoa and Necker. At least 2000 specimens grow on Nihoa, while there are far less on Necker.

Sesbania tomentosa FileStarr 0506182541 Sesbania tomentosajpg Wikimedia Commons

ʻŌhai is highly polymorphic, exhibiting broad variations in color and shape. Plants that grow on Nihoa have reddish-orange flowers and young leaflets that are relatively hairless. Necker plants have salmon to orange colored-flowers, and leaflets that are very hairy. A form that grows as a standing tree exists on Molokaʻi. ʻŌhai grows as a prostrate shrub with semi-glaucous leaves devoid of tomentum on the southernmost tip of the island of Hawaiʻi, Ka Lae.

Sesbania tomentosa Native Plants Hawaii Viewing Plant Sesbania tomentosa
Sesbania tomentosa FileStarr 0406130042 Sesbania tomentosajpg Wikimedia Commons

Sesbania tomentosa Native Plants Hawaii Viewing Plant Sesbania tomentosa

Sesbania tomentosa Sesbania tomentosa Hook amp Arn Oahu riverhemp

References

Sesbania tomentosa Wikipedia