Sesbania Species, Drummond Rattlebox, Poison Bean, Rattle-Bush, Rattle Bean

Invasive, toxic, and the crushed pods smell like urine

This plant grows in 2 places (that I have seen) in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. Both places are near water in a wetlands area.
It is...Read More a fascinating bush to see in the autumn when some blooms are still on the bush as well as the dried seedpods which sound like a rattlesnake when you touch the bush.
Down here the blooms are a bright orange-red, not yellow.
I have photos of it.
From what I have read about Rattlebush, it is very invasive but I could certainly see how it would make a fine addition to a yard since it is such a pretty bush.

In Zone 8b, Rattlebox becomes a small multi-stemmed tree 10 to 12 feet tall. It will grow in moist to wet areas, often growing around sto...Read Moreck ponds. It thrives in swampy areas. It produces a large quantity of seeds which germinate easily. Is very invasive and difficult to eradicate unless sprayed with an herbicide. It has pretty yellow flower clusters, but I'd rather view it from a distance, in someone else's yard.

Rattlebush is a lovely plant of the Legume family.
It can be a bush or small tree that looks lush and tropical.
Here in Arl...Read Moreington Texas it is winter hardy, although it will die to the ground in colder winters but will come back from the roots.
Ours is 2 years old and 10 feet tall and has been beautiful this Summer.
The seeds rattle when they are dry and the bush is shaken. The seeds are
extremely hard and must be soaked and then nicked in order to germinate.
We highly recomend this plant.