RattleboxRattleboxSesbania punicea Sesbania punicea (Cav.) Fabaceae(Cav.) Fabaceae

Biology Biology • Native to South AmericaNative to South America

• Introduced as an ornamental for Introduced as an ornamental for attractive leaves and showy attractive leaves and showy flowersflowers

• Extremely poisonous, especially Extremely poisonous, especially seedseed

Distribution & ImpactsDistribution & Impacts

• Scattered infestations throughout FloridaScattered infestations throughout Florida

• Moist, wet environments – riverbanks, Moist, wet environments – riverbanks, swamps, wetlandsswamps, wetlands

• Forms dense thicketsForms dense thickets– Displace native vegetationDisplace native vegetation

– Impedes water flow, flood control Impedes water flow, flood control

– Reduces recreational usageReduces recreational usage

Rattlebox Distribution in FloridaRattlebox Distribution in Florida

IdentificationIdentification

Mature PlantMature Plant• Woody shrub, Woody shrub,

grows up to 15 grows up to 15 feet tallfeet tall

• Bark is grayish to Bark is grayish to reddish brown, reddish brown, covered with covered with lenticels (small lenticels (small pits)pits)

LeavesLeaves• Alternately arrangedAlternately arranged

• Compound with 7 to Compound with 7 to 16 pairs of small 16 pairs of small leafletsleaflets

• Opposite Opposite arrangement of arrangement of leaflets, each leaflets, each possessing a possessing a rounded leaflet tiprounded leaflet tip

FlowersFlowers• Flowers are brilliant red Flowers are brilliant red

in colorin color

• Hang in clustersHang in clusters

• Thin, pod-like fruit, Thin, pod-like fruit, containing several seedcontaining several seed

• Thousands seeds per Thousands seeds per plant, remain dormant plant, remain dormant in soil for several yearsin soil for several years

ManagementManagementPreventativePreventative

CulturalCultural

MechanicalMechanical

BiologicalBiological

ChemicalChemical

PreventativePreventative1.1. Limit planting as an ornamentalLimit planting as an ornamental2.2. Remove existing plants, including Remove existing plants, including

resprouts and before seeds are resprouts and before seeds are producedproduced

3.3. Remove plants from flowing water Remove plants from flowing water areas initially to avoid seed spread via areas initially to avoid seed spread via waterwater

4.4. Constant monitoring due to soil seed Constant monitoring due to soil seed bankbank

CulturalCultural1.1. Alternative landscape plants to Alternative landscape plants to

replace rattleboxreplace rattlebox

2.2. Programs to educate homeowners Programs to educate homeowners about the problems associated with about the problems associated with this plant and proper identificationthis plant and proper identification

3.3. Maintain good ground cover and Maintain good ground cover and mixture of plant species to reduce mixture of plant species to reduce establishmentestablishment

BiologicalBiological1.1. There are no known biological control There are no known biological control

agents available for rattlebox agents available for rattlebox management in Florida or the management in Florida or the southeastern U.S.southeastern U.S.

MechanicalMechanical1.1. Hand pull young seedlings, repeated Hand pull young seedlings, repeated

pulling for germinating seedlingspulling for germinating seedlings

2.2. Mowing or cutting is effective, although Mowing or cutting is effective, although likely impractical, but must be likely impractical, but must be repeated to control resprouts and repeated to control resprouts and germinating seedlinggerminating seedling

ChemicalChemical1.1. Over-the-top applications of Over-the-top applications of

glyphosate at 2 to 3% solution plus glyphosate at 2 to 3% solution plus 0.25% surfactant 0.25% surfactant

2.2. Foliar applications of triclopyr at 1 to Foliar applications of triclopyr at 1 to 2% with 0.25% surfactant 2% with 0.25% surfactant

3.3. Thoroughly wet leaves with herbicideThoroughly wet leaves with herbicide4.4. Retreatment necessary for complete Retreatment necessary for complete

eradicationeradication

Useful LinksUseful Links• Floridata Homepage:

http://www.floridata.com/main_fr.cfm?state=Welcome&viewsrc=welcome.htm

• University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants: http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/welcome.html

• The Plant Conservation Alliance's Alien Plant Working Group. Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas: http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/index.htm

Useful LinksUseful Links• Invasive Plants of the Eastern United

States: http://www.invasive.org

• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Plants Database: http://plants.usda.gov

Literature CitedLiterature Cited• Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks.

1998. Identification and Biology of Non-1998. Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville. 165 pp.Florida, Gainesville. 165 pp.