Native pea (Rhynchosia minima) in the Western Australian rangelands

Page last updated: Friday, 9 July 2021 - 8:50am

Please note: This content may be out of date and is currently under review.

Native pea (Rhynchosia minima) is one of many plant species found in the Western Australian rangelands. This page provides a summary of the plant's value for pastoralism. Pastoral lessees and station managers can use this information to assess pasture condition and trend.

Indicator value

Native pea is considered to be an intermediate species on heavy soils and a desirable species on lighter soils.

Forage value

Native pea is generally palatable and nutritious to livestock at all stages of growth. Pods, leaves and stems are eaten.

Native pea (a legume) will be selectively grazed and disappear with heavy grazing on lighter soils because of the relatively low digestibility of the grasses growing with it. Native pea is less selectively grazed by livestock on black soil pastures because of the relatively higher nutritional value and digestibility of grasses in these pastures.

Habitat

Black soils, heavy soils and loamy clays; this species is native across mainland Australia as well as many heavy soils across the world in tropical and subtropical areas.

General description

Native pea is a vine that grows along the ground with stems up to 5m long. The leaves are each made up of 3 dull green, rounded leaflets 1–3cm wide. When the leaves dry off, they turn a browny-red colour. The yellow pea-like flowers may be present between February and June. The pods are 10–20mm long by 4–6mm wide, pea-shaped and hairy.

Contact information

Kath Ryan
+61 (0)8 9166 4015
Matthew Fletcher
+61 (0)8 9166 4019