| BRIEF DESCRIPTION A bushy shrub or small tree, 1-10 m high. Leaves compound with 3 elliptical, ovate to orbicular leaflets, each 5-17 x 2-8 cm. USES The wood can be used as fuel, posts, and small poles. The tree is suitable for protection planting and erosion control on beaches and sand dunes. The leaves are eaten, it has medicinal properties and it can be used as fodder and are browsed by animals. GROWING PERIOD Perennial. COMMON NAMES Horse bush, Daun buaya, Kanyere, Balanak, Petai laut, Dedulang, Kabay-kabay, Huyat-bagio, Matang-ureng, Chamaep, Khamin-nang. FURTHER INF Scientific synonym: Desmodium umbellatum. Horse bush occurs in northern Queensland, Australia within the latitudinal range 10-22°S at elevations between sea level and 600 m. It is mainly found along rivers and stream banks, on plains and lowlands, and in particular on beach fronts and frontal dunes. It is drought-tolerant and nitrogen-fixing. |
SOURCES (D. umbellatum (L.) Benth)
Turnbull J 1986 pp 246-247 [TEMP, KTMP, RAIN, TEXT, DEP, DRA, PH, FER, USE]
Siemonsma J 1993 pp 289 [USE] |