Robust, much-branched annual, herb, 0.2-1.4 m high. Fl. blue, Aug to Nov. Sand, loam. River edges, swamps, roadsides.
Alternative Names. Western Australian Blue Lupin.
General Biology. Growth form. Herb. Life form. Annual. Reproduction. Seed. Dispersal. Planting for agriculture, water, soil movement. Toxicity. Stubble and large quantities of seed can cause poisoning in stock. Seedbank persistence. Some dormancy.
Notes. Has a well-established root system including a strong taproot. Capable of fixing nitrogen. Seed germinates in autumn, plants grow through winter and spring, and die with the onset of summer drought. Genotypes of Lupinus cosentinii appear to be more tolerant of calcareous soils than L. angustifolius.
Additional information. Origin. Mediterranean, southwestern Europe. History of use/introduction. Widely cultivated as a grain legume crop, animal fodder. Similar exotic species. Lupinus angustifolius.
Suggested method of management and control. Hand remove scattered plants prior to flowering. Spray dense infestations with metsulfuron methyl 0.1g/15 L (2-3 g/ha) + wetting agent. Larger areas can be treated with more selective herbicides such as 200 g/ha Lontrel® or 50 g/ha Logran® (based on 500 L of water/ha). For spot spraying use 4 g Lontrel® or 1 g Logran® in 10 L of water + wetting agent. Glyphosate is relatively ineffective. Read the manufacturers' labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. For further information consult the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to determine the status of permits for your situation or state.
Calendar Type | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Germination | Y | Y | O | ||||||||||
Active Growth | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |||||||
Flowering | Y | Y | Y | Y | |||||||||
Fruiting | Y | Y | |||||||||||
Manual Removal | Y | Y | Y | Y | |||||||||
Herbicide Treatment | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Legend: Y = Yes, regularly, O = Occasionally, U = Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.