Naturalised pasture legumes

Summary

There are a wide variety of pasture legumes that are naturalised in pasture systems in NSW, and that contribute to overall pasture and animal productivity.

The majority of these are annuals, originating primarily in Eurasian countries with Mediterranean or temperate climatic conditions.

The occurrence of these species is often sporadic, both in terms of where they appear in the landscape and their density in pastures from year to year.

While generally not as productive as commercially available species, naturalised legumes are usually very well adapted to the areas in which they grow, and may contribute significant quantities of nitrogen to pasture systems, enhancing overall pasture productivity and quality.

This Primefact outlines the most common naturalised legumes found in NSW pasture systems: cluster clover, nodding clover, knotted clover, haresfoot clover, hop clover, suckling clover, narrowleaf clover, woolly clover, spotted medic, spiny burr medic, cutleaf medic, black medic and woolly burr medic.