Rattlebush

Sesbania drummondii

Rattlebush is a fun plant with bright yellow flowers and long, green pods that rattle in the wind! It loves to grow in wet places and is great for attracting butterflies.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Rattlebush has tall, slender green stems and delicate feather-like leaves. Its bright yellow, pea-shaped flowers bloom in clusters, later forming distinctive long, segmented pods that turn brown and dry as they mature.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusSesbania

Rattlebush

Interesting facts

Its scientific name honors Thomas Drummond, a Scottish botanist who explored North America!

Rattlebush can grow over 10 feet tall in just one growing season, reaching for the sun!

The tiny seeds of the Rattlebush can stay hidden in the soil for many years before sprouting!

This plant is sometimes called 'Coffeebean' because its seeds have a similar shape to coffee beans!

Special abilities

Rattlebush has special roots that add nitrogen to the soil, making it richer and helping other plants grow stronger.

Rattlebush has dry, segmented seed pods that rattle loudly when shaken, helping to disperse its seeds far and wide.

Rattlebush can grow incredibly fast, reaching mature size in a single season to quickly colonize open or disturbed areas.

Measurements & details

Height: 100-300 cm
Spread: 50-150 cm
Flower Size: 1-2 cm
Bloom Season: Summer, Fall
Edible: No
Toxicity: High
Lifecycle: Annual
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Visits flowers for nectar and pollen.

symbiotic with

Rhizobium bacteria

Rhizobium leguminosarum

Forms root nodules for nitrogen fixation.

eaten by

Beet Armyworm

Spodoptera exigua

Larvae feed on leaves and stems.

Traits

Deciduous

Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Nitrogen Fixing

Describes organisms capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into compounds usable by plants.

Summer Blooming

Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.

Fragrant Flower

Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Rapid Growing

Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.