Pigeon Pea Biology
Cajanus cajan Family: Fabaceae (Pea family).
Common names: Pigeon pea, Congo pea, No-eye pea, Red gram, Tree pea.
Description: Seedlings – the cotyledon leaves are oblong, 30 – 40 mm long and 10 - 15 mm wide, with an indented, central vein.
Early leaves – the first true leaves and all subsequent leaves are trifoliate, the central leaflet longer than the side leaflets.
Leaflets – are broadly spear shaped, 25 – 100 mm long and 10 – 35 mm wide. The central leaflet is longer than the side leaflets and is borne on a short stalk, 10 – 16 mm long. Leaves are green, with a velvety upper surface. The underneath of the leaf is silvery green, covered with whitish hairs. Leaves have small, yellowish glands which give them a subtle golden hue.
Plants - an annual or short-lived erect perennial, 1 - 3 m tall. Plants may regenerate from the taproot, allowing them to perenniate.
Flowers – are produced along slender stalks 20 – 70 mm long, that emerge from the leaf axils, with 6 – 12 flowers per stalk. Flowers are a typical pea-shape, bright yellow, with reddish-brown markings on the backs of the petals.
Pods – are 45 – 100 mm long, 8 – 15 mm wide and contain 4 – 7 seeds.
Seeds – are ovoid, 4 - 7 mm in length and reddish-brown.
Lifecycle/Biology: An annual or short-lived perennial plant that flowers in spring, summer and autumn. Plants are frost-sensitive.
Ecology: Adapted to a range of soil types. Plants generally occur as volunteers following a pigeon pea crop. Isolated plants may occur on channels, beside roads or in other areas where trash has accumulated.
The problem: Grown as an insect refuge in combination with Bollgard II cotton varieties. Volunteer pigeon pea plants can be problematic in following crops.
Distribution: Commonly planted throughout the cotton area. May be planted as a commercial grain crop. Small naturalised populations occur in northern New South Wales and Queensland.
Origin: May have originated in India.
References:
Compiled by: Graham Charles
