Centro
Centrosema molle, Fam. Fabaceae
Vigorous twining vine, forming tangled mats or growing over shrubs and trees to 3m or more. Stems minutely hairy. Previously Centrosema pubescens.
| 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: | Vine (Climbing, Twining or groundcover) |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Leaf: | Compound Alternate Alternate pinnate with 3 leaflets, broadest below the mid-point, terminal leaflet lanceolate and much larger than laterals. Triangular stipules, 3-4mm. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
Mauve, Pink |
| Flower description: | Pea-shaped, pink to mauve, 20mm long x 20-30mm wide, densely hairy on back, borne in axillary groups of 1-several at the end of slender stems. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Brown |
| Fruit: | Dry |
| Fruit description: | Flattened straight or curved smooth pale brown pods with thickened margins, 70-150 x 7mm, contain 8-20 red-brown mottled seeds. |
| Habitat: | |
| Distribution | |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | South America |
| Notes: | Spread by: seeds in contaminated soil, vehicles, garden waste, animals. Invades: disturbed sites, urban, agricultural and natural areas. Notes: introduced as a pasture legume in wet tropics. Produces large quantities of viable seed and is now widely naturalised in this region. Destroys tree layer and prevents regeneration of native plants. Environmental weed. |
| Information sources: | Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2018) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region Second Edition. |
