1046 WliEDS AND PARASITIC FU^WKRING I'LAMTS 



it is found only at one point in New South Wales in dense wood of 

 Mount Wilson, where it was perhaps introduced with European tree species. 

 It has also been reported in Queensland. It is recommended to destroy it 

 b}' fire whenever found, in order to extirpate it complef ely from Australia 

 while still very rare there. 



WEEDS AND PARASITIC FLOWERING PLANTS. 

 821 - Goatsrue (Ga/eg-a officinalis), a Weed in New Zealand. — Cockayne a. ii. 



in I'hc Journal 0/ A'^riculfiti'c, Vol. XII, No. 2, pp. 125-130, i PI. Wellington, February 21, 

 1916. 



The Noxious Weeds Act, which has been in force for more than .sixteen 

 years -in New Zealand, makes the destruction of certain plants obliga- 

 tory. Some of these are regarded as noxious throughout New Zealand, 

 others only in certain di.stricts. according to a declaration bj'the loral au- 

 thorities. 



The goatsrue {Galega officinalis) -has also just [been included in this 

 latter category. 



This species of Leguminosae cultivated in gardens in several parts of 

 New Zealand, has only become wild on the banks and in the old alluvial 

 soil of the rivers Manawatu and Pohangina. It spreads rapidly along roads 

 paved with the gravel of these rivers. As usually, Galega is net eaten in 

 sufficient qusntities b}^ animals to prevent it flowering, it spreads rapidly- 

 wherever it takes hold, unless the soil is covered with a thick ccating of grass. 

 In New Zealand, the Galega often attains 3 ^ ft. and more in height. It gener- 

 ally flowers towards the second week in December and remains in flower 

 for abouc two months. If mown a little before flowering, it flowers in March; 

 if the plants are cut at intervals, they may even flower three times in one 

 season. The ordinary method, therefore, which consists in preventing the 

 flowering of weeds by a single mowing per year, is almost valueless for this 

 weed, which must be turned in. 



The Galega is regarded as a weed because : i) it is very little liked b}' 

 cattle ; 2) it tends to choke more desirable plants ; 3) it is considered 

 poisonous. 



Towards the end of autumn and in winter, animals feed to some small 

 extent on the branches of the plant when they begin to dry. The same is 

 the case at the beginning of spring, before the branches harden. 



On the other hand, all animals refuse the plant during summer, when 

 it is in full vigour. This seems to be due to the bitterness of its leaves. More- 

 over, at some seasons its leaves are m^arkedly poisonous to sheep, and per- 

 haps also to yoimg cattle. Experiments in France have shown that 10 

 lbs. of these leaves are sufficient to kill a sheep. 



Goastrue, however, has some useful properties. It has even been advis- 

 ed as a forage crop," and is in fact cultivated for that purpose in some parts 

 of Switzerland. If mown when still tender and allowed to wither slightly, 

 it is agreeable to cattle and may be fed to them without danger. 



