Senna artemisioides subsp. zygophylla "Butter Bush" - Plant Profiles

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Senna artemisioides subsp. zygophylla

Scientific Name	Senna artemisioides subsp. zygophylla
Categories	Nitrogen FixerShrub
Common Name(s)	Butter Bush
Family	Fabaceae, Subfamily Caesalpinioideae

Description

"Shrub or rarely small tree, erect, to 3 m high, glabrous or very sparsely pubescent with appressed hairs, glaucous. Leaves 8–30 mm long including a terete or compressed petiole 8–12 (–20) mm long,..." (Flora of Australia)

Notes

Senna artemisioides subsp. zygophylla like some other Senna spp. may be under-utilised in rehabilitation work. The seed can be collected and stored efficiently, mixed and applied easily and is economical. Its broad distribution and nitrogen fixing capacities also imply utility.

Historical Notes

Distribution

Senna artemisioides subsp. zygophylla is found in all states. It is widespread throughout Victoria and New South Wales. Widespread also in Queensland except in the far north. Restricted to more southern areas of the Northern Territory and to minor occurrences in southern inland of Western Australia.