Sesbania herbacea
Bigpod sesbania, coffee weed, colorado river hemp, Colorado River Hemp
(c) Bob Virag, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Sesbania herbacea (Bigpod sesbania) is a native California subshrub in the Fabaceae family.
Bigpod sesbania is a California native annual found in the southern desert regions along streams and moist sites, including cultivated and old field areas at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from April to October, this plant produces yellow flowers in small clusters of 2 to 6 blossoms. Growing with slender stems up to one meter tall, it develops a delicate, spreading habit. Its compound leaves are notable for having 30 to 60 small oblong leaflets, each 1 to 2.5 centimeters long, creating a fine, feathery appearance. The fruit is a distinctive linear pod reaching 15 to 20 centimeters in length, which stands out against the plant's delicate foliage.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated species with distinctive long linear fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Along streams, other moist sites, often in cultivation or old fields
Elevation: < 500 m
California counties: Riverside, Imperial, Kern, San Diego, Sacramento, Yolo, Tulare
Outside California: southern United States, Mexico
Bloom period
Sesbania herbacea blooms Apr-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Cleomella: Sesbania has 20-60 tiny leaflets per leaf; Cleomella has 3 simple leaflets.; vs Astragalus: Sesbania has 20-60 leaflets and very long pods; Astragalus has fewer leaflets and shorter pods.; vs Tara: Sesbania has much longer pods (4-20 cm); Tara has shorter curved pods.; vs Colutea: Sesbania has long slender pods; Colutea has inflated bladder-like pods.; vs Senna: Sesbania has more leaflets (20-60) and longer pods; Senna has fewer leaflets (8-20) and shorter pods.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sesbania herbacea native to California?
Yes. Sesbania herbacea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sesbania herbacea bloom?
Sesbania herbacea blooms Apr-Oct.
Where in California does Sesbania herbacea grow?
Sesbania herbacea occurs in Riverside, Imperial, Kern, San Diego, Sacramento, Yolo, Tulare, at elevations of < 500 m.
What plant family does Sesbania herbacea belong to?
Sesbania herbacea is in the Fabaceae family, genus Sesbania.
What habitat does Sesbania herbacea grow in?
Sesbania herbacea grows in Along streams, other moist sites, often in cultivation or old fields.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.