Chamaecytisus palmensis (Christ) F.A.Bisby & K.W.Nicholls
Tagasaste

Scientific Description

Genus Chamaecytisus. Form erect. Habit tree or shrub, spindly shrub (broom-like). Stems Indumentum hairy, Pustules or glands absent, Striation (stems ribbed) not striate, Cross section terete, Spiny on any part of plant not spiny. Leaves or phylloclades Presence clearly present, Position alternate, Leaves compound, Leaves or phylloclade continuous with stem not continuous with stem, Cross section of leaf or leaflet flat with flat margins, Margins of leaf or leaflet entire, Tuberculate tubercles absent, Pustules or glands absent. Length Leaf length 25-55. Width (entire leaves only) Leaf width NaN (?). Scale leaves length mm long NaN (?). Leaflets Number three, Arrangement palmately arranged. Terminal leaflet Presence present, Stalk sessile. Indumentum Presence hairy, Type simple. Stipules Presence present but early deciduous ( only visible on youngest leaves ), Glands with glands (?) or without glands (?), Ribs ribbed (?) or ribless (?). Length Stipule length NaN (?). Bracteoles Presence present and persistent, Indumentum hairy (?) or glabrous (?), Striation striate (?) or not striate (?). Length Bracteole length NaN (?). Pedicel Presence present, Indumentum hairy. Length Pedicel length 3-5. Calyx Pustules or glands absent, Ribs ribless, Enlarged in fruit not accrescent. Length Calyx length 10-15. Indumentum Presence hairy, Type with simple hairs. Corolla Colour patterning uniformly coloured, Colour (when uniformly coloured) yellow, Petal claws ( the narrow base of the petals absent. Length Corolla length 15-25. Indumentum Presence absent. Standard Indumentum glabrous, Auricles not auriculate. Length Standard length 15-20. Wings Auricles not auriculate. Length Wing length 15-18. Keel Auricles not auriculate, Indumentum hairy at least in part, Beak not beaked. Length Keel length 12-14.5. Stamens Number ten. Anthers anther length NaN (?), Position at two different levels (filaments alternately long and short). Filaments Fusion free (or united at the very base). Length Filament length 15-16. Ovary Placement stipitate. Indumentum Presence hairy or glandular. Style Indumentum hairy or glandular towards the base, Bearded ( with a tuft of hairs at apex ) not bearded, Apex terete. Length Style length 15-20.5. Fruit Type dehiscent (a pod or follicle), Constriction constricted between the seeds (?) or not constricted between the seeds (?), Compression flat or compressed (?) or round in cross-section (?), Placement stipitate, Beak not beaked. Length Fruit length 35-50. Width Fruit width 5-12. Indumentum Presence hairy, Indumentum type with simple hairs. Flowering time April, May, June, July, August, September or October. Distribution Botanical Province South-West, IBRA Bioregion Geraldton Sandplains, Avon Wheatbelt, Jarrah Forest, Mallee, Warren, Esperance or Swan Coastal Plain.

Management Notes (for the Swan NRM Region)

General Biology. Growth form. Shrub/Small tree. Reproduction. Seed. Dispersal. Explosive, ants, birds, slashing, garden refuse, plantings, machinery, soil movement. Time to first flowering. 3 years. Toxicity. Seeds are poisonous to humans. Vegetative regeneration strategy. Resprouts. Seedbank persistence. Long, 10+ years. Fire response. Soil stored seed germinates prolifically following fire and mature plants occasionally resprout.

Notes. A serious invader of disturbed bushland on lateritic soils in higher rainfall areas. Has naturalised in almost all areas where it has been planted. Germinates readily after soil disturbance, forming dense infestations that can smother native vegetation and prevent regeneration. Increases soil nitrogen, encouraging other weeds to colonise sites.

Additional information. Origin. Canary Islands. History of use/introduction. Fodder shrub, garden escape.

Suggested method of management and control. Hand pull seedlings where possible. For mature plants apply 250 ml Access® in 15 L of diesel to basal 50 cm of trunk (basal bark). Foliar spray with 0.5 g/10 L metsulfuron methyl + Pulse® Read the manufacturers' labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. For further information consult the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to determine the status of permits for your situation or state.

Management Calendar

Legend: Y = Yes, regularly, O = Occasionally, U = Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.

 

References

• Brown, K. & Brooks, K. (2002) Bushland Weeds: A Practical Guide to their Management. Environmental Weeds Action Network, Greenwood.
• Cook, B., Pengelly, B., Brown, S., Donnelly, J., Eagles, D., Franco, A., Hanson, J., Mullen, B., Partridge, I., Peters, M. & Schultze-Kraft, R. (2005) Tropical Forages; Chamaecytisus prolifer var. palmensis. CSIRO, DPI&F(Qld), CIAT & ILRI, Brisbane, Australia URL: http://www.tropicalforages.info/key/Forages/Media/Html/Chamaecytisus_prolifer_var._palmensis.htm - Accessed September 2008.
• Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. & Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. 2nd Edition. The Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park.
• Moore, J.H. & Wheeler, J. (2008) Southern weeds and their control. DAFWA Bulletin 4744.
• Muyt, A. (2001) Bush invaders of South-East Australia: A guide to the identification and control of environmental weeds found in South-East Australia. R.G. & F.J. Richardson, Melbourne.
• Navie, S. & Adkins, S. (2008) Environmental Weeds of Australia, An interactive identification and information resource for over 1000 invasive plants. Centre for Biological Information Technology, The University of Queensland.