Growing
- Forest layer: Herbaceous groundcover.
- Growth habit & lifespan: Perennial, low and spreading, forms a dense mat via runners.
- Size: 0.1-0.2m.
- Site preference: Full sun to part shade, wide soil tolerance, tolerates light foot traffic.
- Water needs / drought tolerance: Moderate, reasonably drought tolerant once established.
- Fruiting / flowering season: Small yellow pea-like flowers, close to year-round.
- Propagation: Runners, division.
- Harvesting technique: Not typically harvested for food — grown for its groundcover function, not the below-ground pods.
Permaculture Function
- Permaculture functions: An excellent living mulch and groundcover, a genuine nitrogen fixer, suppresses weeds, and tolerates mowing or light foot traffic well.
- Wildlife value: Pollinator value.
- Edibility / medicinal use: Not typically eaten.
- Companion notes: A strong living-mulch groundcover choice under fruit tree guilds, competing well against weed regrowth once established.
Safety & Control
- Toxicity: Not toxic.
- Control method: Not applicable, retain and encourage.