The Placer Resource Conservation District (Placer RCD) is working with the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) and other partners to find and remove red sesbania (Sesbania punicea), an invasive plant, from the Dry Creek Watershed in Placer County.

Also called scarlet wisteria or rattlebox, this fast-growing shrub spreads quickly along streams, ponds, and wetlands. The California Invasive Plant Council rates it as “High” for its negative impact on native plants and waterways. It:

• Forms dense thickets that block water flow
• Contains toxins harmful to people, livestock, and wildlife
• Pushes out native species
• Contributes to erosion and flooding

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Where Red Sesbania Has Been Found (to date)

As of 2024, Placer RCD has expanded its outreach and capacity to identify sources of red sesbania within the Dry Creek Watershed. Locating infestations in the upper reaches of streams is critical—only then can an effective treatment plan be developed. Until those sources are addressed, efforts downstream amount to “paying off the interest but not the principal.” The map below shows the locations where red sesbania has been found to date.

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Identifying Red Sesbania

Red sesbania is fairly easy to recognize, but it often hides among other plants. Below are the key features to help you spot it. If you do, please report your sighting here.

Leaf Identification of Red Sesbania

Seed Pod Identification

Flower Identification

Habit Identification