Hylodesmum glutinosum

Stems monomorphic; erect, unbranched, 30–80 cm, sparsely to densely patent- to ascending-pilose. Leaves usually 3-foliolate, rarely unifoliolate, 6–8 usually whorled medially on stem, often with 1 or 2 alternate leaves proximally, sometimes scattered and alternate; stipules often persistent, subulate to narrowly ovate, 8–12 mm; petiole 6–14.5 cm; leaflets estipellate, surfaces densely pubescent abaxially, sparsely appressed-pubescent adaxially; lateral blades oblique, smaller than terminal; terminal blade broadly ovate, 5–13 × 5–14 cm, apex abruptly acuminate. Inflorescences terminal, unbranched or branched; rachis densely uncinate-puberulent and villous; primary bract subulate to narrowly ovate, 5–9 mm. Pedicels stout, 3–8 mm, uncinate-puberulent. Flowers: calyx 3–3.5 mm, white-puberulent, hairs scattered, long, stiff; corolla usually pink-purple, rarely white, 5–7 mm, keel connate along abaxial margin (enclosing reproductive organs). Loments 1–4-articulate; segments asymmetrically depressed-obovate, 7.5–11 × 4–7 mm; stipe 4–10 mm, glabrous or glabrate. 2n = 22.

Phenology: Flowering summer.
Habitat: Rich woodlands, north-facing slopes, open dry woods and margins.
Elevation: 0–800 m.

N.B., N.S., Ont., Que., Ala., Ark., Conn., Del., D.C., Fla., Ga., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Minn., Miss., Mo., Nebr., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., N.Dak., Ohio, Okla., Pa., R.I., S.C., S.Dak., Tenn., Tex., Vt., Va., W.Va., Wis., Mexico (Nuevo León, Puebla, San Luis Potosí).

Discussion

Desmodium grandiflorum de Candolle, a synonym of D. cuspidatum, has been widely misapplied to this species.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa