Sensitive plant, Barnbarngarri
Neptunia monosperma
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A herb which keeps growing from year to year. It grows 0.5-1 m high and spreads 0.4-1.5 m wide. The stems are erect or curve upwards. They are slender. The leaves are twice divided. They are on stalks 1.5 cm long. There are 1-3 pairs of stalks with leaflets The leaflets are 0.3-1.3 cm long by 0.25 cm wide. There are 20-39 opposite pairs of leaflets. They are grey-green. The upper flower heads are 0.8 cm across. They are yellow with green petals. They are on 2 cm long stalks in the axils of leaves. The lower flower heads are 1.4 cm across with yellow petals and modified stamens which are like petals. The pods are 0.7-1 cm long and 0.8 cm wide. They are flat and dark brown. They have some hairs.
There are about 11 Neptunia species. They are mainly tropical. Also as Mimosaceae.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in grassland. It suits seasonally dry tropical and subtropical locations. It needs full sun.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten raw when dark brown and ripe.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.