Psoralea pinnata
{{Short description|Species of legume}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = psoralea_pinnata_1.jpg
| genus = Psoralea
| species = pinnata
| authority = L.
| synonyms =
- Lotodes pinnatum (L.) Kuntze
- Psoralea altissima Bertol.
- Psoralea conferta Bertol.
- Psoralea decidua Sieber
- Psoralea decidua Sieber ex Walp.
- Psoralea kraussiana Meisn.
- Psoralea krebsii Vogel
- Psoralea krebsii Vogel ex Walp.
- Psoralea tenuifolia Eckl. & Zeyh.
- Ruteria africana Medik.
- Ruteria pinnata (L.) Medik.
| synonyms_ref = {{GBIF |id=2944039 |taxon=Psoralea pinnata |accessdate=21 July 2021}}
}}
Psoralea pinnata is an erect evergreen shrub or small tree that grows to a height between {{convert|1.5|m|ft|0}}{{cite web|url=http://www.flora.sa.gov.au/cgi-bin/texhtml.cgi?form=speciesfacts&genus=Psoralea&species=pinnata|title=Electronic Flora of South Australia species Fact Sheet - Psoralea pinnata|year=2007|accessdate=2007-10-18}} and {{convert|4|m|ft|0}} tall.
Description
This plant has fine deep green linear leaves{{cite web|url=http://members.iinet.net.au/~weeds/western_weeds/fabaceae_3.htm|title=Western Weeds - Fabaceae|year=2007|accessdate=2007-10-18}} that are deeply divided with a length of about {{convert|40|mm|in|0}}.{{cite web|url=http://fernkloof.com/species2.mv?Psoralea%20pinnata|title=Fernkloof Nature Reserve - Fabaceae - Psoralea pinnata|year=2007|accessdate=2007-10-18}} The linear leaf blades occur in crowded alternate spirals are {{convert|0.8|mm|in|0}} to {{convert|2|mm|in|0}} in width and taper from the base.{{cite web|url=http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/4155|title=Florabase - Psoralea pinnata|year=2007|accessdate=2007-10-18|archive-date=2011-03-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110317053925/http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/4155|url-status=dead}}
This plant blooms with white, lilac or blue pea shaped sweet smelling flowers between October and December.{{cite web|url=http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantnop/psoraleapin.htm|title=PlantZAfrica.com - Psoralea pinnata|year=2007|accessdate=2007-10-18}} in large clusters toward the end of the branches.
Flowering is followed by the production of small pods, each of these contain a single dark brown seed.{{cite web|url=http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl|title=Weeds Australia - Weed identification|year=2007|accessdate=2007-10-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060715002937/http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl|archive-date=2006-07-15|url-status=dead}}
Distribution
Psoralea pinnata is a native of South Africa; it is also an established alien species in other countries, particularly Southern Australia and New Zealand.{{cite web|url=http://www.rnzih.org.nz/pages/weednameslist.htm|title=Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture - Common Weeds of New Zealand|year=2007|accessdate=2010-10-12}}
Common names
Psoralea pinnata has many common names. In South Africa the plant is commonly known as the fountain bush or fonteinbos, it also is called penwortel, bloukeur and is known as umhlonishwa by the Zulu. In Australia, where P. pinnata is a weed, it is known as taylorina and in Western Australia it is also known as the blue broom or the Albany broom. In other parts of the world it is also called the African scurf pea, taylorina, blue psoralea and the Dally pine.{{cite web|url=http://www.hear.org/gcw/html/autogend/species/15745.HTM|title=HEAR - Global Compendium of Weeds - Psoralea pinnata|year=2007|accessdate=2007-10-18}}
References
{{Reflist}}
- {{Commons category-inline|Psoralea pinnata}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1233819}}
Category:Trees of South Africa