Desmodium obtusum
| Desmodium obtusum | |
|---|---|
| |
| 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. obtusum |
| Binomial name | |
| Desmodium obtusum (Muhl. ex Willd.) DC. | |
| |
| Natural range of Desmodium obtusum from USDA NRCS Plants Database. | |
Common name: stiff ticktrefoil
Contents
Taxonomic notes
Description
Distribution
Ecology
Habitat
It is distributed widely throughout the eastern U.S. and southern Great Plains (NRCS Plants Database). Frequently burned in longleaf and shortleaf pine-oak-hickory upland native and old-field communities (Ultisols) (Cushwa 1970, FSU Herbarium), longleaf pine-turkey oak sandhills (Entisols), longleaf and slash pine flatwoods (Spodosols), and in limestone outcrops (FSU Herbarium). It is fire-tolerant (Cushwa 1970). Occurs in both native (never plowed) areas and areas with recent recent soil disturbance. Some seem to have ruderal-growing tendencies. Occurs on a wide range of soils from loamy sand to clayey soils and in sites ranging from xeric to moist (FSU Herabarium).
Phenology
In the southeastern coastal plain it flowers from September to October and fruits from September to November (FSU Herbarium).
Seed dispersal
Seed bank and germination
Fire ecology
It thrives in frequently burned (1-2 year interval) habitats and occurs primarily in high-light environments but can also tolerate partial shade (FSU Herbarium).
Pollination
Use by animals
Diseases and parasites
Conservation and Management
Cultivation and restoration
Photo Gallery
References and notes
Cushwa, C. T. (1970). Response of legumes to prescribed burns in loblolly pine stands of the South Carolina Piedmont. Asheville, NC, USDA Forest Service.
Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: June 2014. Collectors: R.K. Godfrey, John Morrill, Loran C. Anderson, A. F. Clewell, R. Kral, J. P. Gillespie; D. C. Hunt, R. Komarek, Sidney McDaniel, Samuel B. Jones, Jr., Harry E. Ahles, J A Duke; Charles S. Wallis, William B. Fox, Lloyd H. Shinners, and Eula Whitehouse. States and Counties: Alabama: Greene and Macon. Florida: Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Jackson, Leon, Madison, and Wakulla. Georgia: Baker, Colquitt, Grady, and Thomas. Louisiana: Bossier. Mississippi: Lamar. North Carolina: Mecklenburg and Robeson. Oklahoma: Sequoyah. Texas: Freestone.
NRCS Plants Database http://plants.usda.gov/java
