Desmodium paniculatum

Desmodium paniculatum, called panicled-leaf ticktrefoil, narrow-leaf tick-trefoil, and panicled tickclover, is a perennial herb in the pea family, Fabaceae. Belonging to a nearly cosmopolitan genus, the panicled-leaf ticktrefoil is a common native to Eastern North America, ranging from Quebec to Florida and as far West as Texas, Nebraska, and Ontario.[1][2][3] The sticky loment can be found in disturbed areas that receive plenty of light, such as roadsides, parks, and abandoned fields.[4]

Desmodium paniculatum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Rosids
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Fabaceae
Subfamily:
Faboideae
Genus:
Desmodium
Species:
D. paniculatum
Binomial name
Desmodium paniculatum

Description

Desmodium paniculatum grows to 3 feet tall in an erect and spreading habit with alternate, pinnately-trifoliolate leaves. The leaves are lanceolate to oblong and are usually 2 to 10 times as long as wide.[4][5] The pedicels are around 1 cm.[5] The flowers of the paniculate inflorescence are light pinkish to lavender and appear June through September. The sticky loments that many people find attached to their shoes and pants are arranged in a row of 2-6 superiorly sinuate and inferiorly triangular segments and appear August–October.[2][4][5]

Uses

While this species hasn't been tested for medically or commercially beneficial compounds like other species of Desmodium, studies have shown the value of this species, as well as other legumes, as a native forage for pasture use.[6] While not as easily digestable and protein-rich as some non-native legumes and grasses, the panicled-leaf ticktrefoil can be a good source of protein-based fodder for livestock during the warmer months of the year.[7]

References
  1. "Desmodium paniculatum (L.) DC". USDA. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  2. "Desmodium paniculatum". Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  3. Isely, Duane (January 1951). "Desmodium: Section Podocarpium Benth". Brittonia. 7 (3): 185–224. doi:10.2307/2804705. JSTOR 2804705. S2CID 41450344.
  4. Weakley, Alan S. (Nov 2012). Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States (PDF). Chapel Hill, NC, USA: The University of North Carolina Herbarium. p. 862. Retrieved 5 Oct 2014.
  5. Woods, Michael (March 2008). "The Genera Desmodium and Hylodesmum (Fabaceae) in Alabama". Castanea. 73: 46–69. doi:10.2179/07-9.1. S2CID 86491643.
  6. Posler, G.; Lenssen, A.; Fine, G. (1993). "Forage Yield, Quality, Compatibility, and Persistence of Warm-Season Grass-Legume Mixtures". Agronomy Journal. 85 (3): 554–560. doi:10.2134/agronj1993.00021962008500030007x.
  7. Mcgraw, Robert; Shockley, Floyd (2004). Thompson, John; Roberts, Craig. "Evaluation of Native Legume Species for Forage Yield, Quality, and Seed Production". Native Plants Journal. 5 (2): 152–159. doi:10.2979/NPJ.2004.5.2.152. S2CID 85959047.
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