Desmodium glabellum

From Coastal Plain Plants Wiki
Revision as of 20:05, 12 September 2018 by Asnyder (talk | contribs) (Phenology)
Jump to: navigation, search

Common Names: ticktrefoil [1], smooth beggarlice [2]

Desmodium glabellum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida - Dicots
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Desmodium
Species: D. glabellum
Binomial name
Desmodium glabellum
(Michx.)
DESM GLAB DIST.JPG
Natural range of Desmodium glabellum from USDA NRCS Plants Database.

Taxonomic Notes

Synonym: D. paniculatum, D. paniculatum var. dillenii (Darlington)

Variety: Meibomia paniculata (Linnaeus), Meibomia pubens (Torrey & A. Gray)

Description

D. glabellum is a perennial forb/herb of the Fabaceae family native to North America. [1]

Distribution

The native distribution of D. glabellum is along hte United States east coast, west to Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. [1]

Ecology

Habitat

The ideal habitat for D. glabellum is with partial sun and dry conditions. Soil that has a rocky texture is ideal. Savannas, rocky upland forests, edges of more wooded areas, thickets and limestone glades are common regions for D. glabellum to be found. [1]

Phenology

D. glabellum has been observed to flower between August and October, with peak inflorescence in September. [3]

Seed dispersal

D. glabellum is a member of the pea family. It's pea pods or seeds have tiny hooked hairs on the shell that make them ideal for sticking to passing fur bearing animals for dispersal.[1] This species is thought to be dispersed by translocation on animal fur or feathers. [4]

Seed bank and germination

Firm seedbed is required for germination to be successful.[1]

Pollination

Bees are the primary pollinator for D. glabellum.[1]

Use by animals

Seeds from D. glabellum are eaten by birds, rodents, wild turkey, rabbits, groundhogs, and many livestocks. [3]

Diseases and parasites

White mold can occur on D. glabellum. Adult Japanese beetles will feed on the plant. [1]

Conservation and Management

D. glabellum has been placed on the special concern list for the state of Connecticut. [1]

Cultivation and restoration

Photo Gallery

References and notes

  1. Jump up to: 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 USDA Plant Database
  2. Jump up Davis, J., J. Eric, et al. (2002). "Vascular flora of Piedmont Prairies: Evidence from several prairie remnants." Castanea 67(1): 1-12.
  3. Jump up to: 3.0 3.1 Nelson, G. PanFlora: Plant data for the eastern United States with emphasis on the Southeastern Coastal Plains, Florida, and the Florida Panhandle. www.gilnelson.com/PanFlora/ Accessed: 21 MAY 2018 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Pan Flora" defined multiple times with different content
  4. Jump up Kirkman, L. Katherine. Unpublished database of seed dispersal mode of plants found in Coastal Plain longleaf pine-grasslands of the Jones Ecological Research Center, Georgia.