Centrosema molle Mart. ex Benth., Fabaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  High risk, score: 11 (Go to the risk assessment)

Other Latin names:  Centrosema pubescens auct. pl.

Common name(s): [more details]

Chinese: ju ban dou

English: bluebell, butterfly pea, centro, spurred bufferfly-pea

Fijian: pi ni ndola

French: fleur-languette, pois bâtard

Maori (Cook Islands): kūtū, piriarero

Spanish: amarillo lagarto, flor de conchitas, frijol cuchillo, gallinita, patillo

Habit:  vine

Description:  "A climbing or prostrate herb, often forming tangled mats, introduced and now also naturalized near sea level along roadsides, in waste places, on river banks and on coconut plantations. The stems are slender and pilose, the leaflet blades oblong to ovate, 3-9 x 1.5-5 cm, short-pilose but glabrate on both sides. The compact inflorescences are several-flowered, the standard being blue to purple with darker veins and yellow-tinged, up to 4 x 3 cm, pubescent without, and with a spur scarcely 1 mm long. The fruits, up to 17 cm long and 7 mm broad, are ribbed near the sutures, with numerous (often about 20) seeds up to 5 x 3 x 2 mm and red-brown with black streaks" (Smith, 1985; p. 232).

Habitat/ecology:  Forms dense mats and climbs onto trees.  "Disturbed sites, particularly in urban and agricultural areas.  A vigorous creeper that invades disturbed areas to choke out more desirable species.  Often the tree layer is destroyed and regeneration of native species is prevented"  (Smith, 2002; p. 46).

Propagation:  "Seed is spread intentionally as a pasture species.  Seeds are also spread in mud adhering to vehicles and through indiscriminate dumping of garden refuse. Produces large quantities of viable seed making control difficult."  (Smith, 2002; p. 46).

Native range:  Tropical America, now widely cultivated and naturalized (GRIN).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
American Samoa Tutuila Islands	Tutuila Island	introduced invasive	Anon. (1988)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 105)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1978) (voucher ID: BISH 653950) Taxon name on voucher: Centrosema pubescens Benth.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Tinian Island	introduced	Raulerson, L. (2006) (p. 36)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Tinian Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1982) (voucher ID: BISH 593613) Taxon name on voucher: Centrosema pubescens Benth.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Saipan	Saipan Island	introduced	Raulerson, L. (2006) (p. 36)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Aitutaki Atoll	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 74)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island		McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 79)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1991) (voucher ID: BISH 666383) Taxon name on voucher: Centrosema pubescens Benth.
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Mangaia Island		McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Mangaia Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 85)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Ma‘uke Island		McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Ma‘uke Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 91)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Miti‘aro Island		McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Miti‘aro Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 97)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island		McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Chuuk Islands		Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 89) Presence not verified.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 89) Presence not verified.
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced invasive	Herrera, Katherine/Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy/Balick, Michael J. (2010) (p. 90) As Centrosema molle Mart. ex Benth. Voucher cited: A. Rinehart LR25240 (BISH) Naturalized
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1993) (voucher ID: BISH 660198) Taxon name on voucher: Centrosema pubescens Benth.
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Yap (Waqab) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 105)
Fiji Fiji Islands	Lakemba Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (pp. 232-233) Voucher cited: Garnock-Jones-879
Fiji Fiji Islands	Naitamba Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (pp. 232-233) Voucher cited: DA 9645
Fiji Fiji Islands	Vanua Levu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (pp. 232-233) Voucher cited: DA L.15608
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1985) (pp. 232-233) Vouchers cited: DA 14348, DA 11312, DA 9519, DA 8485, DA 12130, DA 870
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1940) (voucher ID: BISH 14431) Taxon name on voucher: Centrosema pubescens Benth.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1954) (voucher ID: BISH 14432) Taxon name on voucher: Centrosema pubescens Benth.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1958) (voucher ID: BISH 14433) Taxon name on voucher: Centrosema pubescens Benth.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1960) (voucher ID: BISH 14434) Taxon name on voucher: Centrosema pubescens Benth.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1965) (voucher ID: BISH 32856) Taxon name on voucher: Centrosema pubescens Benth.
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 6944 (PAP) Adventice
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2004) (voucher ID: PTBG 42340) Taxon name on voucher: Centrosema molle Mart. ex Benth.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Bora Bora Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 12034 (PAP) Adventice
French Polynesia Society Islands	Maupiti (Maurua) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, M.-H. (1987) (pp. 34-35) Voucher cited: Fosberg 64764 (US)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Maupiti (Maurua) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: F.R. Fosberg 64764 (PAP) Adventice
French Polynesia Society Islands	Maupiti (Maurua) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1985) (voucher ID: BISH 599717) Taxon name on voucher: Centrosema pubescens Benth.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island	introduced cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 144) Vouchers cited: BRY 26706, BRY 25736
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Vouchers cited: J. Florence 3499 (PAP), F.R. Fosberg & M.-H. Sachet 63133 (PAP) Adventice
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1982) (voucher ID: BISH 491361) Taxon name on voucher: Centrosema pubescens Benth.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Taha‘a Island	introduced cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 144) Voucher cited: Fosberg 63503
French Polynesia Society Islands	Taha‘a Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Vouchers cited: J. Florence 10610 (PAP), F.R. Fosberg 63503 (PAP) Adventice
French Polynesia Society Islands	Taha‘a Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1982) (voucher ID: BISH 607247) Taxon name on voucher: Centrosema pubescens Benth.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Taha‘a Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1990) (voucher ID: BISH 664048) Taxon name on voucher: Centrosema pubescens Benth.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced cultivated	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 144) Voucher cited: Florence 3109
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 3109 (PAP) Adventice
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1982) (voucher ID: BISH 491148) Taxon name on voucher: Centrosema pubescens Benth.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1981) (voucher ID: PTBG 37284) Taxon name on voucher: Centrosema molle Mart. ex Benth.
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Rurutu Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 6123 (PAP) Adventice
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 105)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1957) (voucher ID: BISH 661134) Taxon name on voucher: Centrosema pubescens Benth.
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1966) (voucher ID: BISH 661135) Taxon name on voucher: Centrosema pubescens Benth.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive	Flynn, Tim/Lorence, David H. (1998) (p. 5) Vouchers cited: T. Flynn et al. 6126 (BISH, MO, NY, PTBG, US), Hume & Levine 280 (BISH, PTBG)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive	Starr, Forest/Starr, Kim/Loope, Lloyd L. (2003) (p. 27) East Maui. Voucher cited: Starr & Martz 001130-1 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive	Imada, Clyde T./James, Shelly A./Kennedy, Barbara H. (2008) (p. 13) Voucher cited: C. Imada, B. Kennedy, G. Ragosta & J. Preble 2007-10 (BISH)
Japan (offshore islands) Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands	Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands		Kato, Hidetoshi (2007)
Nauru Nauru Island	Nauru Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 105)
Nauru Nauru Island	Nauru Island	introduced	Thaman, R. R./Fosberg, F. R./Manner, H. I./Hassall, D. C. (1994) (p. 142) Not seen in 1978 or thereafter.
New Caledonia New Caledonia	New Caledonia Islands		Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 89)
New Caledonia New Caledonia	New Caledonia Islands	introduced invasive cultivated	Gargominy, Oliver/Bouchet, Philipe/Pascal, Michel/Jaffre, Tanguy/Tourneu, Jean-Christophe (1996) (p. 382) Rudérale, nombreuses localités
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced invasive cultivated	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 81) Vouchers cited: Blanchon 285 (NOU), MacKee 12781, MacKee 15103, MacKee 21882, MacKee 31236, MacKee 43782 Spontané
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced cultivated	Sykes, W. R. (1970) (p. 147) Vouchers cited: CHR 150510; CHR 150513; CHR 150512
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive	Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 22)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2000) (p. 7) Voucher: Flynn 6679 (PTBG, US, NIUE)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara M./Newfield, Melanie/Bull, Cate (2004) (p. 40)
Niue Niue	Niue Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (year unknown) (voucher ID: PTBG 30207) Taxon name on voucher: Centrosema molle Mart. ex Benth.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 105)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 84)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1968) (voucher ID: BISH 661136) Taxon name on voucher: Centrosema pubescens Benth.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Babeldaob Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1981) (voucher ID: BNM 3078) Taxon name on voucher: Centrosema pubescens Benth cv.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 105)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 79)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1981) (voucher ID: BISH 661137) Taxon name on voucher: Centrosema pubescens Benth.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1982) (voucher ID: BNM 3152) Taxon name on voucher: Centrosema pubescens Benth.
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Malakal (Ngemelachel) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 105)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Malakal (Ngemelachel) Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 79)
Papua New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago	Bismarck Archipelago	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	introduced invasive	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013) Naturalized
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	introduced invasive	Waterhouse, D. F. (1993) (pp. 64, 76)
Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Islands	Pitcairn Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 10803 (PAP) Adventice
Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Islands	Pitcairn Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1991) (voucher ID: BISH 642805) Taxon name on voucher: Centrosema pubescens Benth.
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island		Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 22) Voucher cited: Whistler 215
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 66)
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1972) (voucher ID: BISH 83894) Taxon name on voucher: Centrosema pubescens Benth.
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	introduced cultivated	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Lifuka and Foa Islands	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 71)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 59)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island		Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 22) Voucher cited: Buelow 763
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 51)
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 65)

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia Australia (continental)	Northern Territory	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Nicholas M. (2002) (p. 46)
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Nicholas M. (2002) (p. 46)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Costa Rica (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	El Salvador (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Guatemala (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Honduras (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Nicaragua (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Panama (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
China China	China (People's Republic of)	introduced cultivated	Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2013) "Introduced forage plant; near sea level to 100 m".
China China	Hong Kong	introduced cultivated	Wu, Te-lin (2001) (pp. 139-140)
Indonesia Indonesia	Indonesia (Republic of)	introduced invasive	Waterhouse, D. F. (1993) (pp. 64, 76)
Indonesia Indonesia	West Papua Province (Indonesia) (western New Guinea Island) (formerly Irian Jaya)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Malaysia Malaysia	Malaysia (country of)	introduced cultivated	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Negara Brunei Darussalam Brunei	Brunei (Negara Brunei Darussalam)	introduced cultivated	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Singapore Singapore	Singapore (Republic of)	introduced invasive	Chong, Kwek Yan/Tan, Hugh T. W./Corlett, Richard T. (2009) (p. 25) Naturalised
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Colombia	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Ecuador (Republic of) (continental)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Perú (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Taiwan Taiwan Island	Taiwan Island	introduced cultivated	Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2013) "Introduced forage plant; near sea level to 100 m".

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia (Indian Ocean offshore islands) Christmas Island Group	Christmas Island	introduced invasive	Swarbrick, J. T. (1997) (p. 108)
La Réunion (France) La Réunion Island	La Réunion Island	introduced invasive cultivated	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013) Naturalized
Mauritius Mautitius Islands (Mauritius and Rodrigues)	Mauritius Island	introduced invasive cultivated	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013) Naturalized
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Frégate Island		Robertson, S. A./Todd, D. M. (1983) (p. 51) Vouchers cited: Robertson 2744, Todd 31
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Seychelles Islands	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)

Also reported from
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	United States (other states)	native	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)

Comments:  Often introduced as a pasture legume or as a contaminant in seed.

Control:  If you know of control methods for Centrosema molle, please let us know.