Swainsona

Swainsona is a large genus of flowering plants native to Australasia. There are 85 species, all but one of which is endemic to Australia.

A member of the family Fabaceae (legumes), it is most closely related to the New Zealand genera Montigena (scree pea), Clianthus (kakabeak), and Carmichaelia (New Zealand broom).[1]

Swainsona is named after English botanist Isaac Swainson.

A few species are known to produce swainsonine, a phytotoxin harmful to livestock (see Locoweed). In Australia, animals intoxicated with swainsonine are said to be pea struck.[2]

Selected species
Swainsona acuticarinata (A.T.Lee) Joy Thomps.
Swainsona adenophylla J.M.Black
Swainsona affinis (A.T.Lee) Joy Thomps.
Swainsona beasleyana F.Muell.
Swainsona behriana F.Muell. ex J.M.Black
Swainsona brachycarpa Benth.
Swainsona bracteata (Maiden & Betche) Joy Thomps.