Identification Notes
EPPO CodeALZVA |
Life CycleAnnual or Perennial |
MorphologyAn erect or spreading to prostrate (under heavy grazing) forage legume, up to 0.6-1 m in height. It is usually perennial but can be annual under dry conditions. It is very variable in habit and flower colours. It is often woody at the base with many (10-100) glabrous or slightly pubescent stems rooting at the nodes. The leaves are shortly petiolated and unifoliate. The limb is reticulated on both surfaces, finely hairy, ovate to oblong elliptic in shape, 5-20 (-65) mm long x 3-10 (-25) mm wide. The inflorescence is axillary or terminal, 1.5-7 (-13) cm long. It holds 6-12 (-16) papillonaceous, orange-pinkish flowers. The pods are pubescent, small, 1.2-2.5 cm long x 2-2.5 mm wide and slightly constricted. The seeds are 1-2 mm long, oval or oblong-shaped, yellow, light brown or dark red in colour, often speckled. There are 400 to 650 seeds/g |
Growing seasonFebruary - October |
Germination periodBetween July and December |
Flowering periodBetween July and December |
PropagationSeed |
Habitat- |
Weed potential- |
Control measure- |
Recommended herbicide- |
Distribution- |
Medicinal properties- |
References- |