Pink Tephrosia

Description:

Tephrosia glomeruliflora is an erect shrub that can reach a height of 2 metres. Its branches are hairy with the hairs lying close to the branch, and its pink flowers are pea-like. This is a perennial herb in the Fabaceae family, and is endemic to southern Africa. Also found on the eastern coast of Australia, in Queensland and New South Wales, it is considered an environmental weed, but has also been naturalised in urban bushland in Brisbane and is cultivated in gardens as an ornamental. Will we ever learn?

Habitat:

Spotted on the bank of the freshwater creek that flows into Gold Creek Reservoir, which lies just to the west of Brisbane. Freshwater lake, and dense native bushland vegetation of eucalypt forests and subtropical rainforests. Massive lantana growth along this watercourse.

Notes:

Note the water droplets that have formed on the fine hairs along the stems. Not being familiar with this species, my ID search started with the pea-like flowers, but there are many pea species in this country. The confirmation I needed came from those droplets as they highlighted a characteristic of this plant that I would have otherwise missed.