Macroptilium lathyroides is an annual, biennial, or occasional short-lived perennial legume that grows up to 1.5m tall with support. The stem may be erect, trailing, or twining, depending on the environment.
It is easily recognizable by its vibrant papilionaceous red to purple flowers, a phenomenon where wing petals are larger than the lower petals, forming a butterfly-shaped appearance.
Macroptilium lathyroides Classification
- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Tracheophyta
- Subphylum: Angiospermae
- Class: Magnoliospida
- Order: Fabales
- Family: Fabaceae
- Genus: Macroptilium
- Species: Macroptilium lathyroides
- Varieties: Macroptilium lathyroides var. Angustifolium, Macroptilium lathyroides var. semierectum, Macroptilium lathyroides var. bustarretianum
- Common Names: Phasemy bean, Wild bean, Wild Bush bean, One Leaf clover, Quail bean, Murray Phasey bean, Pea bean, Wild Pea bean, and Wild Dolly bean
Nativity and Distribution
Phasey bean is native to the Caribbean and Central and South America tropical areas. It has been introduced to other areas around the tropics, such as:
- Africa
- Australia
- India
- Southern United States
Physical Characteristics
- Leaves: Trifoliate compound leaves with smooth margins.
- Fruits: Linear, flat, glabrous or pubescent dehiscent pods.
- Stems: Slender and smooth, erect, trailing, or twining stems.
- Flowers: Red to purple papilionaceous flowers.
- Roots: Taproot system.
Macroptilium lathyroides is an annual (but it can also be a biennial or short-lived perennial), erect, or climbing branching legume that can grow up to 1.5m with support.
It is easily recognizable by its butterfly-shaped red to purple flowers (a common phenomenon in the legume family) where the wing petals are larger than the lower petals.
The stem is slender, smooth, and erect in sunny conditions, growing up to 1m tall. However, it assumes a trailing or twining growth in shady conditions, reaching up to 1.5m tall. When growing near the soil surface, the stems form dense mats that can cover the ground or climb over other vegetation.
The leaves are trifoliate with ovate to lanceolate leaflets about 1-3.5 cm wide and 3-8 cm long. They are glabrous on the upper surface and have a few hairs on the underside with smooth margins.
Phasey bean produces bright red to purple flowers with a white marking about 13-15mm wide and 1-1.5 cm long. The blooms are papilionaceous, consisting of an upright petal, two fused wing petals that form a keel at the bottom, and two smaller wing petals on the sides.
Flowering occurs in the warmer months and continues most of its growing season.
The seeds are small, about 3mm long, slightly compressed, and dark brown with black markings.
Reproduction, Dispersal, and Life Cycle
- Life Cycle: Annual, occasionally biennial, or short-lived perennial.
- Seeds: A single fruit can produce 20-30 seeds.
- Climate: Tropical and subtropical climates.
- Dispersal: Explosive mechanism and wind.
Phasey bean reproduces by seeds and exhibits flexibility in its life cycle, behaving as an annual, biennial, or perennial, depending on the environmental conditions.
As an annual, it completes its life cycle in one year, where conditions favor rapid reproduction and growth. In less favorable conditions, the legume behaves biennially, utilizing the first year for vegetative growth and the second year for flowering and reproduction.
Lastly, as a perennial, it survives many years, taking advantage of stable conditions to germinate and outcompete native plants.
Once the long paired pods mature, they shatter, dropping the seeds that are later dispersed by wind to new sites. Higher seed germination is observed when the seeds fall on the surface and about 1-2 cm below the ground surface.
Similar Plants
- Macroptilium atropurpureum
- Vigna unguiculata
- Phaseolus vulgaris
Uses
- It is grown as a pioneer forage in pastures.
- It is also cut as hay or silage for livestock.
- As a legume, it has nitrogen-fixing abilities, which can enhance soil fertility and improve agricultural productivity.
- It is used to stabilize soil and prevent erosion.
- It is used as a cover crop in flooded areas.
- It is grown in wildlife parks to provide seeds for quails and grass for deer.
Impact on Farms and Environment
Phasey bean is a beneficial plant to agricultural farms because it can enhance soil fertility and productivity through nitrogen fixation.
Since it can tolerate different types of soil conditions, including poorly drained, sandy, and clay soils, it can stabilize soil and prevent erosion, contributing to sustainable farm practices.
The legume is a quick-growing and nutritious plant that provides pasture and fodder for livestock, improving animal health.
As a short-lived plant, phasey bean is also used to help establish slow-growing grasses like Desmodium heterocarpon.
However, its rapid reproduction, growth, and diverse life cycles can make it invasive, outcompeting native vegetation and affecting local biodiversity.
It is also a minor weed in rice farms, and as a climbing weed, it may pose problems in citrus plantations.
Control
- Mechanical control: Hand pulling, hoeing
- Chemical control: Herbicides like glyphosate, 2,4-D, alachlor, simazine, diuron, fluometuron, and trifloxysulfuron-sodium
Hand-pulling or hoeing can be effective for small infestations. To prevent regrowth, ensure that you pull out the entire root system.
Chemical herbicides offer a more effective approach to larger infestations. Consider pre-emergence herbicides like 2,4-D, prometryne, and simazine or post-emergence herbicides like glyphosate and trifloxysulfuron-sodium.
Ensure you consult a professional for information on the best herbicides for your crop farm.
Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.