File:Lotononis bainesii flowerhead13 (15105876998).jpg

Introduced, warm-season, short-lived perennial, low-growing legume with slender stolons. Leaves mostly have 3 leaflets (occasionally 4-5), which are very variable in shape and size. New growth can be hairy, but older growth tends to be hairless. Flowerheads consist of 8-25 dense clusters of yellow pea-like flowers borne on the end of long unbranched stalks. Pods are small (8-12 mm long), hairy and straight to slightly curved. Flowering is in spring and late summer. A native of South Africa, it is sown and naturalized especially in the Clarence Valley. Suited to well-drained lighter soils, but needs bare ground to establish. It is tolerant of acidity, low fertility and frost. The only variety used in NSW is Miles. Seed costs are high and it is difficult to establish due to its very small seed and slow seedling growth. Usually outcompeted by low-growing mat grasses. Capable of reasonable cool-season growth, persists on poorer lighter soils and is non-bloating. Manage with light to no grazing during the main flowering period of spring. This practice aims to produce seed for future plant recruitment and enhances spring establishment of seedlings. Subject pasture to heavy short duration grazing