Sesbania grandiflora is a fast-growing, deciduous tree with a straight, cylindrical bole and an open crown; it can grow up to 20 meters tall. The leaves are paripinnate, with 6 to 20 pairs of leaflets, and are about 30 to 60 cm long. The flowers are large, showy, and fragrant, with five petals that are white, yellow, or pink in color.