| DESCRIPTION: Low growing, much branched herb, 5ˆ15 (ˆ50) cm tall. Leaves ovate or oblong or lanceolate, cordate at the base, 2.5 to 7.5 cm long, firm, both surfaces pale green, prominently nerved, glabrous or sparsely pubescent beneath. Pod 1 to 2 cm long, 3 to 4 mm thick, three- to five-jointed, distinctly moniliform, glabrous or sparsely pubescent. USE: Not tested, but could be a useful component of long-term and ley pastures in low to medium rainfall areas, especially under heavy grazing. GROWING PERIOD: A free seeding annual perennial. COMMON NAMES: Synonym: Hedysarum moniliferum L. FURTHER INF: Widespread in the central Sudan (lat. 15° N). Also found in Ethiopia, Madagascar, Niger, Somalia, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Australia, Mauritius, Réunion. Grows on a wide range of soil types from deep sands and stony soils to cracking clays. Perennial types from India are found in areas with 600ˆ1500 mm annual rainfall, and annual types from Sudan in areas with 200ˆ400 mm, and a short (<3 months) growing season.Mainly tropical lowlands (0ˆ1000 m) with average daily temperature range of 26ˆ29ºC. |