Odd number of leaflets

149. Cobbler's pegs

Bidens pilosa

    

An erect annual growing to about 60 cm tall. It has angular stems which are green to red in colour. Leaves are opposite with serrated margins and are mostly divided into 3 to 5 lance-shaped segments except at the base of the plant. Flowers are in groups at the top of the plant, sometimes with white 'petals', and are about 12 mm wide. 'Seeds' are in clusters on each flower head and are black or dark brown. They are 12 mm long, four angled and have two slender barbed spines on top which cause the 'seed' to cling to clothing and contaminate wool.

Cobbler's Pegs is common in all districts. It is a minor weed in cane fields but grows vigorously in summer in drainage channels, roadsides, banks and on fallow land.

 

150. Balloon vine

Cardiospermum haliucacabum

  

A climbing vine, with tendrils, which has bright green leaves divided into three parts with three segments in each part. The edges of each segment are serrated. Flowers are yellow or white with petals 3 mm long. They are borne in clusters on long stalks arising from the leaf joints. Fruits are inflated and balloon-like, brown when dry and usually with some hairs on the surface. C. grandiflorum is similar but has flowers with petals 6 to 10 mm long.

Balloon Vine is found in all districts and is widespread in the Burdekin area. It is also called Heart Seed Vine.

 

151. Spiny spider flower

Cleome aculeata

  

An open, branched, erect annual that grows about 30 to 60 cm tall. Stems are slender and have pairs of short conical, recurved prickles below the insertion of the leaves. Prickles are located only on the stems. The leaves are comprised of three leaflets that arise from the end of a 5 cm long leaf stalk. Leaflets are lance-shaped, 2 to 3 cm long and about 1 cm wide. Flowers are in sprays, are white and each flower 5 to 10 mm long. Seed capsules are erect, nobbly and up to 6 cm long.

Spiny Spider Flower is found in the central and northern districts of Queensland, usually on alluvial soils. Unless controlled in early growth it competes vigorously with young cane. Also called Wild Rose.

   

152. Spider flower

Cleome gynandra

    

A hairy, foul-smelling, annual herb with divided alternate leaves. Leaves consist of 3 to 5 leaflets all arising from one point at the end of the leaf stalk. Leaflets are dull green, lance-shaped, tapering at the base and rounded towards a small point at the tip. Leaflets are up to 7 cm long and 3 cm wide. Flowers have four petals on slender claws, are white to purple and borne in the upper leaf forks. Pods are cylindrical, 4 to 10 cm long and 5 mm wide. Seeds are small and dark brown.

The illustrated specimen was collected in the Burdekin area.

   
   

153. Spider flower

Cleome viscosa

    

A very hairy, annual herb growing to about 1 m. Leaves are deeply divided, alternate and consist of 3 to 5 leaflets all arising from one point at the end of the leaf stalk. Leaflets are yellowish-green, lance-shaped, tapering at the base and rounded towards a small point at the tip. Leaflets are up to 4 cm long and 2 cm wide. Flowers have four petals on short claws, are yellow and borne in the upper leaf forks. Pods are cylindrical, 3 to 10 cm long and 5 mm wide and carried erect.

Specimen found in Innisfail district adjacent to cane. Usually recorded as a weed of stock yards and railway sidings.

   
   

154. Butterfly pea

Clitoria ternatea

    

A climbing and trailing perennial with a woody rootstock. Leaves are hairless, dark green and shiny above and consist of 5 to 7 leaflets. Leaflets are oval to rounded up to 6 cm long and 4 cm across. Flowers are pea-shaped, white or purplish-blue and up to 5 cm long. Pods are about 10 cm by 1 cm with a pointed tip.

Butterfly Pea is a common weed of cane fields in the Burdekin district. It is also found growing on roadsides and banks.

    
   

155. Hairy indigo

Indigofera hirsuta

    

A sprawling annual, with few branches, growing to about 60 cm. The plant is hairy all over. Leaves are made up of 7 to 11 leaflets. These are rounded at the tip and tapering at the base. Flowers are about 5 mm long, pea-shaped, bright pink and are in dense spikes. Pods are almost straight, squarish in cross-section and covered with dark brown hairs.

Hairy Indigo is widespread but relatively uncommon. It is not aggressive and is found on headlands, roadsides and waste ground.

   
   

156. Anil indigo

Indigofera suffruticosa

    

A shrub with many branches, growing to 2 m but usually less. _eaves are grey-green above and yellowish beneath, each is composed of 9 to 13 leaflets. Leaflets are elliptical and about 2.5 cm long and 0.8 cm wide. Flowers are pink, pea-shaped, 5 mm long and carried in dense spikes in the leaf joints. Pods are crescent-shaped, curving away from the stems.

Anil Indigo has become naturalised in many parts of coastal Queensland. It grows mainly on creek banks, roadsides and occasionally invades cane fields.

   
   

157.Wild raspberry

Rubus rosifolius

    

A rambling, intricately-branched, perennial shrub with slender, thorny canes. Leaves are alternate, light green and divided into 5 to 7 lance-shaped, serrated segments. The end segment is about 1.5 times as long as the side ones. Flowers are white and in small groups on long stalks near the ends of the branches. Fruits are oblong, about 18 mm long, red and edible when ripe, but rather dry.

Wild Raspberry is a native plant which is more common in the southern districts. It is found on the margins of forest and occasionally encroaches onto the edges of cane fields.

   
   

158. Brazilian nightshade

Solanum seaforthianum

    

A woody climber with thin stems. Leaves are partly or completely divided to the mid-rib. The many lobes are broad at the base and lance-shaped. Flowers are in bunches at the end of short leafy branches. They are star-shaped, about 2 cm across, lavender to violet and have a cone of yellow stamens. Berries are globular, red and about 1 cm in diameter.

Brazilian Nightshade is naturalised in all districts and is usually found climbing trees or shrubs on the margins of forest or near farm buildings. The berries are poisonous to humans.

   
   

159. Stinking roger

Tagetes minuta

    

A stiff, erect annual growing to 2 m. The whole plant is yellowish-green and has an unpleasant, aromatic smell. The leaves are opposite at the base but alternate near the top of the plant. They are about 10 cm long and deeply divided into narrow, lance-shaped segments which are about 1 cm wide and 3 or 4 cm long. They have irregular saw-toothed edges and dark coloured elongated glands near the base of the serrations. Flowers are in clusters near the end of the branches. Each flower is almost enclosed within the surrounding bracts with the ends of the yellow petals visible.

Stinking Roger is a common weed of the southern districts. It favours damp, disturbed sites and is often found on the margins of cane fields on recently cleared land.