Gardiner, Chris, and O'Reagain, Joe (2025) A newly detected Tephrosia species in Australia. In: [Presented at TropAg 2025]. 69. p. 222. From: TropAg 2025: Addressing Global Challenges, 11-13 November 2025, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.

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Abstract

In 2022 a seemingly insignificant leguminous plant was detected in a disturbed open Eucalyptus woodland on the JCU Townsville campus in North Queensland. Specimens were sent to various herbaria and for some time its identity remained unresolved with T.forbesii considered. The JCU and Kew Herbaria have recently identified it as Tephrosia strigosa, and this is believed to be the first detection of that species in Australia. T. strigosa is native to India, Oman and Yemen regions and is in the Fabaceae family. It is described as a slender herbaceous annual/perennial, stems decumbent to sub-erect (to 40 cm) and with velvety prostrate hairs. Leaves are unifoliate lanceolate, flowers small and pink and pods 2 cm x 3 mm containing 5-10 seeds. On the JCU Townsville campus the plants have rapidly spread around the southern end of the estate, particularly along table drains, median strips and mown lawns. It can occur as a monoculture but is often associated with weeds such as Bothriochloa pertusa, Hyptis suaveolens, Stachytarpheta jamaicensis and Ziziphus mauritiana. Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) nutrient analysis of whole plants sampled at flowering stage in February 2025 found it possesses a Crude Protein content of 11%, an ADF of 34.1%, an NDF of 45.9% (dry matter basis) and a ME of 9.66 (Mj/kg). Its palatability to local livestock has not been determined however agile wallabies (Macropus agilis) have been recorded grazing it. Its utility as a valuable component of a pasture is yet to be determined however it would appear to be compatible with Bothriochloa pertusa, a widespread invasive grass utilised in the region for grazing but considered an indicator of degraded land. T.strigosa appears to have several weedy traits including rapid lush growth, early flowering, abundant seed set and a propensity for colonising disturbed sites and forming monocultures.

Item ID:	85928
Item Type:	Conference Item (Abstract / Summary)
Related URLs:	https://tropag.com.au/
Date Deposited:	24 Feb 2026 00:50
FoR Codes:	31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3103 Ecology > 310302 Community ecology (excl. invasive species ecology) @ 100%
SEO Codes:	18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1806 Terrestrial systems and management > 180606 Terrestrial biodiversity @ 50% 18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1806 Terrestrial systems and management > 180602 Control of pests, diseases and exotic species in terrestrial environments @ 50%
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