Family: Fabaceae
Common name: Agati, Vegetable hummingbird, Flamingo Bill, Agathi cheera, Agathi, Agasti, Swamp pea, West Indian pea, Scarlet wisteria tree, Katurai
Agati Tree is a fast-growing, short tree valued for its edible flowers and leaves that are high in nutritional value. Native to Southeast Asia and Northern Australia, this tree is preferred by gardeners for their beautiful leaves, nutritional value, and medicinal properties.
Tree characteristics
Agati Trees only grow to a height of 10 to 15 meters with an upright, smooth, grayish-brown bark. Leaves are pinnate having 20 to 60 leaflets per leaf, and each leaflet is oblong in shape and 2 to 8 cm in length.
Agati Trees flower very quickly in 1-1.5 years with abundant, showy white flowers, blooming profusely in tropical and sub-tropical countries. The flowers are borne in elongated clusters at the tips of the branches, characterized by their large size and vibrant colors.
The most common flower color is white, but they also come in shades of deep pink and red. The closed flowers have a beautiful crescent shape. When they open, the Agati tree flowers have five petals arranged in a butterfly-like shape, with one larger standard petal and two pairs of spreading lateral petals.
The flowers are rich in nectar and attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. After pollination, Agati tree flowers produce slender, elongated pods that resemble flat, twisted beans. The pods are 30 to 60 cm long containing numerous small, rounded seeds that are embedded in a fibrous pulp.
The pods are initially green, turning brown when they ripen. The seedpods then split open along the seams to release the seeds, which are dispersed by wind or water.
Gardening tips
Agati trees are sun-lovers growing and blooming well in good sunlight. Plant them in soil rich in organic matter to encourage faster growth. Regular watering and mulching around the base can maintain the moisture of the soil while suppressing the growth of weeds.
They are prone to pest infections since tender leaves and flowers are preferred by insects and worms. Treat infestations with regular applications of neem and soap solution, or organic insecticides.
These trees are mainly cultivated for food – the tender flowers and leaves used in curries, soups, stir fries, and stews. Tender leaves and flowers can be used to make easy stir-fries just like any regular greens, or even cooked with dal.
Uses of Agati trees
Agati trees have many medicinal uses in the treatment of pain, inflammation, wounds, bruises, skin allergies, cold, fever, diarrhea, diabetes, sinus infections, and flu.
Belonging to the Fabaceae family, the tree nitrogen-fixing properties like the Peacock flower, and Gulmohar making it beneficial for improving soil quality and fertility. Farmers often intercrop Agati trees with food crops such as rice, maize, or vegetables to enhance soil health and increase yields.
The flowers are used in decorative displays for festivals, weddings, and religious ceremonies.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds, cuttings, and air layering.
Air layering is done by making a shallow incision on a healthy, flexible stem and wrapping the area with moss. This is covered with plastic wrap and secured with tape. This area has to be maintained moist still roots form. Once roots are formed, this part of them stem can be removed from the parent plant and replanted
Photographed at: GKVK College of Agriculture, Bangalore
