Galega officinalis

Species category

Weed

Common name

professor-weed

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

Long kidney

Size

  • Length 3.1–4.5 mm
  • Width 2–2.2 mm
  • Thickness 1.1–1.3 mm

Color

Yellow to reddish brown

Texture

Rough

Other structures

HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
is small and circular at the end of the radicleRadicle:
The rudimentary root of the embryo, developing into the primary root after emergence from the seed coat.
lobe.

Identification notes

Strong crease between the radicleRadicle:
The rudimentary root of the embryo, developing into the primary root after emergence from the seed coat.
and cotyledonCotyledon:
The modified storage leaf or pair of leaves of an embryo and seedling (see primary leaf).
lobes. RadicleRadicle:
The rudimentary root of the embryo, developing into the primary root after emergence from the seed coat.
is short (less than half the cotyledonCotyledon:
The modified storage leaf or pair of leaves of an embryo and seedling (see primary leaf).
length). Marginal hump present on the cotyledonCotyledon:
The modified storage leaf or pair of leaves of an embryo and seedling (see primary leaf).
margin above the hilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
.

Noxious weed seed categories

State Noxious Weed: California, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Utah
Federal

Learn more on ITP's Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules tool.

AOSA examination list

Not included

More information

For more information, see ISMA fact sheet.

Nomenclature

Family

Fabaceae

Valid name

Galega officinalis L.

 Galega officinalis.  Seed pods. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Galega officinalis. Seed pods. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
 Galega officinalis . Small circular hilum. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Galega officinalis. Small circular hilum. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
 Galega officinalis . There is a marginal hump on the cotyledon margin above the hilum. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Galega officinalis. There is a marginal hump on the cotyledon margin above the hilum. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
 Galega officinalis.  Seed pods. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Galega officinalis. Seed pods. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
 Galega officinalis . There is a strong crease between the radicle and cotyledon lobes. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Galega officinalis. There is a strong crease between the radicle and cotyledon lobes. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.