Even number of leaflets

137. Budda pea

Aeschynomene indica

   

A sparsely branched, erect annual growing to about 1 m high. It has narrow leaves with 40 to 60 small leaflets. Leaves are alternate, up to about 10 cm long, with two pointed, ear-like out-growths from the junction of the leaf stalk and stem. Leaflets are oblong, blunt at the tip, about 4 to 8 mm long and 2 mm wide. Flowers are yellow pea-shaped and about 8 mm long. They are found in stalked clusters of 2 Jo 4 in the leaf forks. Pods are stalked, flattened and about 5 cm long and 4 mm wide. They are indented on one side between the seed joints. The centre of each joint is covered with small protuberances.

Budda Pea is associated with wet areas and drains in all districts. Also called Water Weed.


 

138. Joint vetches

Centrosema spp.

 

Erect annual or short-lived perennials growing to 2 m and be-coming shrubby as they mature. Stems hairy, often hard with pithy centres. Leaves are long-elliptical in shape and are comprised of many pairs of leaflets. Flowers are in groups on branching stalks, pea-like and varying in colour from white to light pink or purple.

Joint Vetches were introduced as pasture species and are most suited to the higher rainfall areas. They will tolerate wet soil conditions and if left unchecked will invade cane fields where they have the potential to become serious weeds. They are present in parts of the Ingham district.


 

139. Smooth senna

Cassia floribunda

 

An erect, branched shrub that grows to a height of 2 m. The shiny, compound leaves have 3 to 4 pairs of broad, lance-shaped leaflets, each 3 to 9 cm long and 1 to 4 cm wide. The leaflets taper to a point with a small black gland between each pair or, at least, between the lowest two pairs. Flowers are bright yellow, about 2.5 cm wide, and in loose bunches at the ends of the branches. Pods are cylindrical, about 9 cm long, dark brown and each contains brown, shiny, flattened seeds. Seeds are 5 mm long, horizontally placed in the pod and separated by thin partitions.

Smooth Senna is found in all districts and is common on rain-forest farms. It is also commonly known as Arsenic Bush and is poisonous to stock but is rarely eaten.


   

140. Sicklepod

Cassia obtusifolia

   

A woody-based shrub which grows to about 2 m high. Leaves are divided into 2 or 3 pairs of round-ended leaflets which are 2 to 3 cm long and 1.5 to 2 cm wide and wedge-shaped at the base. Flowers are small, yellow and about 1 cm across with five petals. Seed pods are about 12 cm long, slender and round in cross section. They are sickle shaped, being less curved near the tip. Seed production is heavy with up to 300 grams per plant and the seeds can remain viable in the soil for eight to ten years.

Sicklepod is found in most districts and is chiefly a weed of pastures but may invade canefields where it can be difficult to control when mature. This plant is a declared noxious weed in Queensland. Java Bean (Cassia tora) is similar to sicklepod. It can be identified by its straighter pods and shorter flower stalks.

   

   

141. Coffee senna

Cassia occidentalis

   

An annual or short-lived perennial that grows to 2 m high. Leaves are alternate with 3 to 5 pairs of pointed leaflets. The leaflets are usually rounded at the base, 3 to 7 cm long and 2 to 3 cm broad. The leaf stalk has a large, dark-coloured gland near its base. Flowers are yellow, about 2 to 3 cm across and in groups on short stalks near the ends of the branches. Pods are flat, about 10 cm long, and up to 1 cm across. Seeds are 5 mm long and 3 mm wide and somewhat flattened.

Coffee Senna is widespread throughout canegrowing areas but is only a minor weed, usually found on wasteland. It is the feed-bush of the Butt Weevil.

   

   

142. Star of Bethlehem

Ipomoea quamoclit

   

An annual twiner with leaves divided, to the midrib, into pairs of narrow segments. The whole leaf is up 6 cm wide and 10 cm long. Flowers are bright red, trumpet-shaped, with a tube about 3 cm long which is flared at the end into 5 lobes about 1.5 cm across. Usually 1 to 3 flowers are grouped at the end of a stalk in the leaf joint. Seed capsules are globular with 4 dark brown seeds.

Star of Bethlehem, or Cupid's Flower, is widespread and common. It is a serious weed of cane capable of pulling down the crop and causing difficulties during harvesting.

   

   

143. Giant sensitive plant

Mimosa invisa

   

A vigorous, vine-like perennial with branching stems which can grow to considerable lengths. Stems are four-angled, the angles have many sharp, hooked prickles. The leaf stalks also have prickles. Leaves are bright green, feathery and each is divided into 5 to 7 pairs of segments. Each segment carries about 20 pairs of small leaflets which close up when disturbed. Flowers are pale pink, small and in round fluffy balls about 12 mm across. The pods are in clusters, are numerous and each about 2.5 cm long and 0.6 cm broad when ripe.

Giant sensitive plant is found in some localities in northern and central Queensland. It is serious weed of cane fields if not adequately controlled. The life of seeds in the soil exceeds 40 years and the plant is a declared noxious weed in Queensland.

   

   

144. Common sensitive plant

Mimosa pudica

   

A perennial; prostrate in mowed areas but growing to over 1 m when supported by other plants or cane. Stems are round and have stout, curved prickles. The leaves are dark green, feathery and each is divided into 2 to 4 pairs of segments which are grouped near the end of the leaf stalk. Each segment has about 15 pairs of small leaflets which close up rapidly when disturbed. The flowers are pale pink, small, in round, fluffy balls and about 12 cm across. Pods are in clusters, numerous and each about 2.5 cm long and 0.6 cm broad with conspicuous stiff bristles along the edges.

Common Sensitive Plant is common from Mackay northwards. It is found growing in cane and almost all other situations including regularly mowed areas such as headlands and lawns. Contact with the weed is unpleasant because of the sharp prickles.

   

   

145. Native sensitive plant

Neptunia gracilis

   

A prostrate, perennial herb. Leaves are divided into 2 to 6 pairs of segments each of which consists of 20 to 30 pairs of leaflets. The leaves are sensitive, but with only a slow response compared to Common Sensitive Plant. Flowers are in heads on the end of long stalks in the leaf joints and have yellow petals. Seed pods are in clusters, flat and membranous about 2 cm long and 0.7 cm wide and contain 3 to 8 seeds.

Native Sensitive Plant is widespread but uncommon in cane-fields. It is found on headlands, roadsides and along fence lines.

   

   

146. Phyllanthus

Phyllanthus spp.

   

Branched, perennial herbs which vary from prostrate to upright and growing to 1 m. Leaves are soft, green and oval, paler beneath and usually 1 to 2 cm long and 0.5 to 1 cm broad. They are arranged alternately in one plane along slender stems. Flowers are small, about 3 mm across, stalked and have greenish petals. Male and female flowers hang down from the stems or are clustered in the leaf forks. Fruits are flattened, globular, about 5 mm across, with three rounded sections.

Phyllanthus is widespread. It is found on the margins of cane fields, around buildings and in gardens.

   

   

147. Sesbania pea

Sesbania cannabina

   

A woody, annual shrub, branching in the upper part and growing to 3.5 m. It has long, alternate leaves which are divided into 12 to 30 pairs of leaflets. Leaflets are oblong, 8 to 18 mm long and blunt at the tip with a small point. Flowers are pea-shaped, yellow to orange-yellow, with dark streaks on the back. They are carried singly or in groups of 2 to 3 on short stalks in the leaf forks. The pods are long and slender, 12 to 20 cm long and about 3 mm wide, curved near the base otherwise straight with a point at the tip. They are olive-green to brown with darker markings between the seeds. Seeds are oblong, dark brown and about 4 mm long.

Sesbania Pea is widespread and common. It is a familar sight along roadsides during the summer months and in some localities invades cane fields. The size of the plant allows it to outgrow and compete with cane.

   

   

148. Caltrop

Tribulus terrestris

   

A spreading, prostrate annual or biennial with a woody tap-root. It produces branching stems up to 60 cm long, which, like the leaves, are covered with silky hairs especially when young. Leaves are opposite, green above and paler beneath with 5 to 7 pairs of leaflets. These are about 12 mm long, 6 mm wide and are rounded at the base with a blunt point at the tip. Flowers are pale yellow, carried singly on short stalks, each stalk growing from the joint of one of a pair of leaves. Fruits or burrs are woody, composed of 5 segments, each with 2 large spreading and usually 2 small, stout conical spines.

Caltrop is common in certain localities in the Burdekin district. It invades cane fields but is mainly a weed of headlands and road-sides. The plant is poisonous to cattle and sheep.