Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Swainsonpea, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Stem

  • Up to 5 ft. tall and covered with short hairs
Photo of Swainsonpea plant

Leaves

  • Pinnate-compound; leaflets are oval, opposite, 0.2-0.8 in. long, lack leaf stems (petioles) and covered with short hairs on lower surface
Photo of Swainsonpea plant with pink flowers

Flower

  • Pea-like, reddish-orange and 0.5 in. long
  • Pods are oval, bladder-like, translucent and contain many seeds; seeds remain in pods during dispersal 
Photo of Swainsonpea plant with pink flowers

Root

  • Woody, creeping root system; roots associate with nitrogen-fixing bacteria
Photo of Swainsonpea plant with small pink flowers

Other

  • Often infests roadsides, fencerows and irrigation ditches; not known to occur in Nevada
  • Perennial; reproduces by seed and creeping roots
  • Potential contaminant of alfalfa seed due to similar size, shape and weight
  • Also known as Austrian peaweed
 

Control

  • Hand removal of individual plants, including roots, can limit spread of small infestations 
  • Apply 2,4-D, aminopyralid, clopyralid, dicamba, glyphosate, picloram, or triclopyr at bloom stage

Learn more about the author(s)

 

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