Caribbean stylo
Stylosanthes hamata, Fam. Fabaceae
Annual or perennial sub-shrubs or herbs. Short-lived perennial to 1m tall, with spreading or erect stems that are covered down one side with white hairs.
| Weed Category: |
Other invasive plants Invasive plants that are not prohibited or restricted invasive plants, but are known to spread readily and cause negative impacts, within the region.
|
| Weed: | Yes |
| Form or habit: | Herb, Shrub |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Leaf: | Compound Alternate Alternate, pinnate with 3 ovate to elliptic leaflets, broadest about the middle and tapering into a pointed apex; variously hairy. Stipules with finely pointed tip and prominent veins present. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Inconspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
Yellow |
| Flower description: | Small yellow pea-flowers, borne in dense terminal heads, almost concealed in overlapping bracts except when open. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Inconspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Brown |
| Fruit: | Dry |
| Fruit description: | Brown, pods up to 7mm long plus 2-4mm curved beak, flattened with 1 or 2 joints, breaking into one or two, 1-seeded segments at maturity. Densely hairy and prominently veined, with 1-2 yellow seeds, about 2 x 1.5mm. Seeds almost rectangular with one pointed corner. |
| Habitat: | |
| Distribution | |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | Native of Caribbean region |
| Notes: | Spread by: animals, water and contaminated soil. Invades/threats: open forest, disturbed and waste land along roadsides. Notes: stylos were introduced as valuable pasture species but are now widely naturalised, especially in disturbed areas. Several species are prevalent in this region. Environmental weed. |
| Information sources: | Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2018) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region Second Edition. |
