Senegalia pennata, commonly known as Climbing Wattle, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to the open woodlands and forest edges of South and Southeast Asia. It can grow up to 16 feet (5 meters) tall and is characterized by its climbing habit, bipinnate leaves, and yellowish flowers that appear in terminal panicles. The flowers bloom during the warm season and are moderately showy, attracting pollinators. The plant’s young, feathery shoots are a notable feature, being both edible and highly sought after for culinary use.

Climbing Wattle is valued for its edible shoots, which are a delicacy in various Asian cuisines. In Northern Thai cuisine, the shoots are consumed raw in salads or cooked in curries and omelettes. This plant is also used in tropical and subtropical gardens for its ornamental foliage and ability to provide a green screen when trained on a support structure. It requires full sun to part shade, moderate water, and well-drained soil to thrive. While it is not commonly known for significant disease issues, it can become invasive outside its native range, so gardeners should be cautious about planting it in suitable climates.CC BY-SA 4.0