Desmodium lineatum

Desmodium lineatum
Photo taken by Kevin Robertson
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants
Class:	Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae ⁄ Leguminosae
Genus:	Desmodium
Species:	D. lineatum
Binomial name
Desmodium lineatum DC.
Natural range of Desmodium lineatum from USDA NRCS Plants Database.

Description

Common Name: Sand ticktrefoil

Distribution

AL, GA, FL, SC (NRCS Plants Database). it is primarily in the panhandle and upper peninsular Florida (ISB Plants Database).

Ecology

Habitat

Frequently burned upland longleaf and shortleaf pine native and old-field communities (Ultisols) (Brewer and Cralle 2003, FSU Herarium), pine-oak sandhills (Entisols), pine flatwoods (Spodosols), and open areas within upland hardwood forests. Thrives in frequently burned (1-2 year fire interval) areas (Gilliam et al 2009, FSU Herbarium). Occurs primarily on sandy soils but can occur on a wide range of soils including sandy loam and sandy clay (FSU Herbarium). It occurs in both full sun and partially shade (FSU Herbarium), but having a prostrate habit it is not tolerant of very dense groundcover vegetation (Robertson observation). It is occurs in both native communities and in areas with a hsitory of soil disturbance (FSU Herbarium, Robertson observation).

Phenology

Flowers and fruits April-November (primarily in autumn)(FSU Herbarium).

Fire ecology

Associated with frequently burned areas such as pinelands, pine flatwoods, savannas, and mature Longleaf pine-wiregrass uplands (FSU Herbarium).

References and notes

NRCS Plants Database http://plants.usda.gov/java/

ISB Plants Database http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/

KMR