Sesbania grandiflora (Scarlet Wisteria)

Native to maritime Southeast Asia and New Guinea, this small tree has compound leaves with rows of oblong leaflets. Large, curved flowers hang from the leaf axils and may be red, white or pink. Long, slender pods follow the flowers. Its flowers, young leaves and young pods are eaten as vegetables in Southeast Asia. The leaves and fruits are also used as green manure. Bacteria in its root nodules fix nitrogen. It tolerates seasonal flooding and can develop floating roots when waterlogged. The tree is also planted as a living support for crops such as vanilla and pepper. Photographed in the Valley of Cauca, Colombia.