Stylosanthes humilis Kunth APNI* Description: Ascending or prostrate annual (sometime perennial) herb to 50 cm high. Stems that run along the ground sometimes form adventitous roots. Stems with short white bristly hairs.
Leaves 3-foliate, glabrous or with short bristly hairs. Leaflets ovate or elliptic, apex acute; terminal leaflet larger, up to 15 mm long, and up to 35 mm wide; lateral leaflets up to 11.5 mm long, 3 mm wide. Petioles 2–5 mm long. Sheath of stipules 3–5 mm long, the teeth 2–3.5 mm long.
Inflorescence a crowded hirsute spike of 5–15 bright yellow flowers, standard 3–4 mm long, lateral petals c. 1.5 mm long.
Pod hairy up to 4 mm long, 2.5 mm wide, with a strongly curved beak.
Flowering: Flowers: autumn to winter.
Distribution and occurrence: Native to North, Central and South America. A weed of pastures and roadsides, it was accidentally introduced in Australia in the early 19th century and its feeding value was discovered near Townsville, Queensland. It can survive drought. It has spread into the north coast of NSW.
NSW subdivisions: *NC
Other Australian states: *N.T. *Qld
Text by Louisa Murray
Taxon concept:
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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