SafePlants

Australian Joint-vetch (Aeschynomene falcata)

This page provides information about the Australian Joint-vetch, scientifically known as Aeschynomene falcata. It includes details on its classification, distribution, uses, and other interesting facts.

Considerations for Pets

• Seeds: The plant "seeds heavily", suggesting the presence of potentially ingestible small parts.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Aeschynomene falcata (Poir.) DC.
• Family: Fabaceae (Legume family)
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Taxonomic Rank: Species
• Synonyms: The text mentions other Aeschynomene species and cultivars, but doesn't explicitly list synonyms for A. falcata itself.
• Common Names: Australian Joint-vetch, Indian jointvetch, Bargoo joint-vetch. Other species in the *Aeschynomene* genus have common names like kat sola, budda pea, curly indigo, hard jointvetch, pannicle jointvetch, lengua de pjaro, American jointvetch, joint-vetch, shyleaf, deervetch, thornless mimosa, bastard sensitive plant, pega pega, pega ropa, antejuela, and ronte.

Distribution and Habitat

• Aeschynomene falcata is found in parts of Africa, Asia, Australia, and the southeastern United States.
• It is naturalized locally in subtropical eastern Australia.
• Also found in South America: Argentina (east Chaco, Corrientes, Misiones), Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay.
• Specifically mentioned locations in Australia include the Northern Territory, northern and eastern Australia, and melonhole country in the brigalow lands.
• The American Joint-vetch (*Aeschynomene americana*) is native to the Caribbean and nearby regions and is frequently sown as a pasture legume in Florida and along Australia's coast.

Ecological Role

• Pannicle jointvetch (Aeschynomene paniculata) is mentioned as a pest weed in the US and Australia.
• American jointvetch is primarily used as a semi-permanent or regenerating legume.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Aeschynomene falcata is described as a prostrate herbaceous perennial with a short, tough taproot.
• It has slender stems that branch at soil level from a bulbous woody crown.
• Aeschynomene indica is described as an upright plant that grows to about 6 feet tall.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The text mentions that Aeschynomene americana develops root nodules when submerged in water, suggesting a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Further Information

• Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (Canberra, Australia).
• Register of Australian herbage plant cultivars.
• AWI, GRDC, MLA, RIRDC and Dairy Australia collaboration.
• Catalogue of Life as Aeschynomene falcata (Poir.)DC.
• Australian Systematic Botany Society Flora of central.
• Ecoport profile for Villose Jointvetch Aeschynomene villosa.