Hummingbird tree (Sesbania grandiflora) Agathi Keerai
Sesbania grandiflora is a small erect, fast-growing, and sparsely branched tree that reaches 32 feet in height. The flowers, young leaves and tender pods of the white flowered hummingbird tree are edible. All parts of the tree are also utilized for medicine in Southeastern Asia and India including preparations derived from the roots, bark, gum, leaves, flowers, and fruit. The leaves are rich in Vitamin, A, Iron and Calcium.
The tree thrives under full exposure to sunshine and is extremely frost sensitive.
In Tamil the tree is called Kathurumurunga or akatthi,(Agathi Keerai). In Hindi gaach-munga, in Telugu avisi, in Bengali Bokful, and Hadga Flower in Marathi.
Please note that Humming bird tree seeds need to be scarified (scrape seed on sand paper till you can barely seed the inside layer) and soak for 24 hours before sowing.