Question 1

What is Sesbania grandiflora called in Sinhala?

Accepted Answer

Sesbania grandiflora is commonly known in Sinhala as Katuru murunga. The name reflects its visual similarity to the drumstick tree (murunga), though the two plants are distinct species with different medicinal profiles.

Question 2

Can you eat Sesbania grandiflora flowers?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the flowers are edible and are prepared as a vegetable in Sri Lankan cooking. They are most often stir-fried with coconut and spices. The young leaves and immature seed pods are also consumed in similar ways.

Question 3

What are the medicinal properties of Sesbania grandiflora?

Accepted Answer

Traditional ayurvedic medicine attributes cooling, anti-inflammatory, and digestive properties to different parts of the plant. Leaves are used for fever and skin conditions, flowers for eye and liver complaints, and bark in formulations for intestinal health. Research into its pharmacological properties is ongoing.

Question 4

Is Sesbania grandiflora native to Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The tree is native to tropical Asia broadly, including South and Southeast Asia. It has been cultivated in Sri Lanka for centuries and is well-naturalised across the lowland wet and dry zones of the island.

Question 5

What is Sesbania grandiflora used for in farming?

Accepted Answer

The tree is a nitrogen-fixing legume, making it valuable in agroforestry and organic farming. It improves soil fertility, can be used as green manure, and provides livestock fodder. Its rapid growth also makes it useful for stabilising eroded land.

Question 6

Where in Sri Lanka can I see Sesbania grandiflora growing?

Accepted Answer

The tree is found in home gardens, village boundaries, and agricultural land throughout the lowland wet and dry zones. It is particularly common in the North Central and Southern provinces, often planted alongside paddy fields or as a boundary marker between plots.

Question 7

How does Sesbania grandiflora differ from the moringa tree?

Accepted Answer

Though both trees are called 'murunga' in parts of South Asia and have edible flowers and pods, they are different species. Moringa oleifera (drumstick tree) has smaller white flowers and more widely commercialised leaves, while Sesbania grandiflora has larger, showier flowers and is more strongly associated with ayurvedic rather than nutritional supplement markets.