Sesbania somalensis

Sesbania somalensis is a semi-woody herb that grows 0.5–1.5 metres (1.6–4.9 ft) high. The plant has oblong leaflets, which are up to 13 millimetres (0.51 in) long, and up to 4.5 millimetres (0.18 in). The leaflets are in seven to fifteen pairs. The inflorescences are racemes with three to six flowers. The flowers have 6–10 millimetres (0.24–0.39 in) stems. The calyx has a 1.5 millimetres (0.059 in) long receptacle, and a 3.5 millimetres (0.14 in) long tube. The standard is elliptical, 12–18 millimetres (0.47–0.71 in) long, and 12–19 millimetres (0.47–0.75 in) wide. The claw is 4–5 millimetres (0.16–0.20 in) long. The fruit is a pod, measuring 8–14 centimetres (3.1–5.5 in) long, and around 2.5 millimetres (0.098 in) wide. The pod has eight to twenty-five seeds, which are around 4 millimetres (0.16 in) long, and 1.8 millimetres (0.071 in) wide. Sesbania somalensis is sometimes confused with Sesbania bispinosa.

Sesbania somalensis is native to the seasonally dry tropical biome of Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia. It occurs on the Haud. It grows near rocky water courses, on red soil and sun-baked mud, in dry scrubland dominated by Acacia and Commiphora. The species is present at elevations of 300–1,300 metres (980–4,270 ft).