Among the worst weeds because of its toughness and drought hardiness. Introduced as a leguminous cattle fodder. Neonotonia wightii belongs to the subgenus Glycine, which is entirely African in origin. It is found in the East Indies, tropical Asia, Ethiopia, through east and central Africa and down to southern Africa.
Previously known as Glycine wightii. Stems can have rusty velvety hairs or be almost hairless. Compound, alternate leaves have three oval leaflets, usually velvety on both sides (tri-foliolate). Flowers are white to mauve, pea-shaped, on long spikes. Pods to 3.5 cm long usually covered in rusty coloured hairs.

Photo: Robert Whyte
Habit
Australian cultivars introduced for agriculture include ‘Cooper’, ‘Clarence’ and ‘Tinaroo’.

Photo: Robert Whyte