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Cullen australasicum

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cullen australasicum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Genus: Cullen
Species:
C. australasicum
Binomial name
Cullen australasicum
Synonyms

Psoralea australasica

Cullen australasicum, commonly known as tall scurf-pea or native scurf pea is a herbaceous, perennial shrub that is native to Australia.

C. australasicum flowers
Chequered swallowtail butterfly laying eggs on Cullen australasicum

Description

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Cullen australasicum can grow to a height of 2.5 metres and a width up to 1.5 m.[1] Stems can become woody at the base.[1] The toothed rough leaves are trifoliate, with leaflets mostly 1-5cm long and 1-3cm wide.[1] The small lilac pea-flowers are in groups of three, and held on long spikes well above the leaves.[2] The seeds are light brown and egg-shaped.[1]

Distribution and habitat

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It predominantly occurs in the arid zone of Australia in low rainfall environments, and can be found in all mainland states and territories.[1][3] Favoured habitats include rocky gorges, woodland, grassland, dry creek lines and depressions.[1][2] It is critically endangered in Victoria.[3]

Ecology

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Cullen australasicum is a larval food plant of the Chequered swallowtail butterfly, Long-tailed Pea-blue, Common Grass-blue, Cotton Bollworm and Native Budworm.[1] It is also a popular food of kangaroos.[2]

Cultivation

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Some stockists in South Australia have Cullen australasicum available to buy for the home garden.[4] Light pruning is recommended to maintain a compact form and to prevent the more common straggly appearance of naturally occurring plants.[5] There are no cultivars currently available.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Hughes, Steve (January 2009). "Native Scurf Pea Fact Sheet". Pastures Australia. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Landcare Group, Kersbrook (2017). Focus on Flora - Native Plants of the Adelaide Hills & Barossa. Axiom. p. 189. ISBN 9781864768206.
  3. ^ a b "Cullen australasicum: Native Scurf-Pea". Atlas of Living Australia. Retrieved 12 Jun 2023.
  4. ^ "Shrubs med - Cullen australasicum". Gawler Environment Centre. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  5. ^ "Common Local Native Species of the Adelaide Plains". City of Norwood, Payneham & St Peters. Retrieved 12 June 2023.