Biserrula
Biserrula pelicinus
Synonyms - Astragalus pelicinus
Biserrula pelecinus
Family: Fabaceae
Names:
Biserrula is from bi meaning twice and serrula is Latin for a little saw referring to the toothed crests on the pods
Other Names:
Summary:
An introduced pasture legume with distinctive seed pods.
Description:
Cotyledons:
Two.
First leaves:
Leaves:
Made up of many paired leaflets.
Stipules -
Petiole - yes.
Blade - of leaflet, oval, serrated, hairy, notched tip.
Stem leaves -
Stems:
Hairy, scrambling.
Flower head:
Clusters of flowers.
Flowers:
Purple, pea type.
Ovary -
Calyx -
Perianth -
Sepals -
Petals -
Stamens -
Anthers -
Fruit:
Pod
Seeds:
Small
Roots:
Taproot.
Nitrogen fixing nodules.
Key Characters:
Scrambling hairy stems.
Paired serrated, hairy leaflets that may have a notched tip.
Biology:
Life cycle:
Annual.
Physiology:
Legume. Fixes atmospheric nitrogen by a rhizobia association in the roots.
Reproduction:
By seed.
Flowering times:
Spring.
Seed Biology and Germination:
Vegetative Propagules:
Hybrids:
Cultivars include Casbah.
Several cultivars have been selected for commercial evaluation
Allelopathy:
Population Dynamics and Dispersal:
Spread by seed.
Origin and History:
Introduced and spread by deliberate plantings as a pasture legume.
Distribution:
ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA.
Not recorded as naturalised.
Habitats:
Climate:
Mediterranean
Soil:
Plant Associations:
Significance:
Beneficial:
Produces good quantities of palatable fodder.
Fixes atmospheric nitrogen in the soil.
Detrimental:
Toxicity:
Symptoms:
Treatment:
Legislation:
None.
Management and Control:
Thresholds:
Eradication strategies:
Picloram based products such as Tordon® 75-D will provide good knockdown and residual control.
Herbicide resistance:
None reported.
Biological Control:
Related plants:
None in the same genus in Australia.
Medics, Clover, Lupins, Peas
Plants of similar appearance:
Vetch has purple flowers and similar leaves but has a tendril on the end of each leaf.
Caltrop has similar leaves but yellow flowers.
References:
Bodkin, F. (1986). Encyclopaedia Botanica. (Angus and Robertson, Australia).
Everist, S.L. (1974). Poisonous Plants of Australia. (Angus and Robertson, Sydney).
Lamp, C. and Collet, F. (1990). A Field Guide to Weeds in Australia. (Inkata Press, Melbourne).
Acknowledgments:
Collated by HerbiGuide. Phone 08 98444064 or www.herbiguide.com.au for more information for more information.