Sphaerophysa salsula (alkali swainsonpea) is a perennial herb/ (family Fabaceae) with red flowers and small oval-shaped leaves found in the San Joaquin Valley in California. It is native to Asia. It favors grasslands. It spreads via water and contaminated alfalfa seed.
A – A pest of known economic or environmental detriment and is either not known to be established in California or it is present in a limited distribution that allows for the possibility of eradication or successful containment.
B – A pest of known economic or environmental detriment and, if present in California, it is of limited distribution.
C – A pest of known economic or environmental detriment and, if present in California, it is usually widespread.
D – An organism known to be of little or no economic or environmental detriment, to have an extremely low likelihood of weediness, or is known to be a parasite or predator.
Q – An organism or disorder suspected to be of economic or environmental detriment, but whose status is uncertain because of incomplete identification or inadequate information.
* – An asterisk next to the rating indicates that a plant is included in the CCR Section 4500 list of California State Noxious Weeds.
-* – This plant is included in the CCR Section 4500 list of California State Noxious Weeds, but is otherwise not rated.
- An evaluation of the potential for a plant to be invasive in California.
Weed Management Notes
Management Notes - Information on management techniques and effectiveness from the University of California Cooperative Extension’s Weed Research & Information Center.
Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles
There are no newsletter articles associated with this species yet.
Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations
Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.
There are no Symposium presentations associated with this species yet.
Other Sphaerophysa salsula Information
CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
CalWeedMapper - Distribution map of this species in California with ability to determine regional priorities.
EDDMapS - Distribution of this species in North America.
Jepson Interchange - Information on this plant's taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.
Additional photos
Sphaerophysa salsula (alkali swainsonpea) flowers and leaves. Photo: © 2001 Fred Hrusa, CDFASphaerophysa salsula (alkali swainsonpea) fruit. Photo: Richard Spellenberg Sphaerophysa salsula (alkali swainsonpea) seeds in fruit (cross-section). Photo: Richard SpellenbergSphaerophysa salsula (alkali swainsonpea) growth habit. Photo: Richard Spellenberg
