Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
tortuosum
ID:
178142

Status:
valid

Authors:
(Sw.) DC.

Source:
ildis

Year:
1825

Citation Micro:
Prodr.2: 332 (1825)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000177471



Common Names

  • Tortuous Desmodium
  • Tortuous Tick-trefoil
  • Desmodium Tortuosum


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Synonyms

  • Desmodium physocarpos Vogel [valid]
  • Meibomia purpurea Vail in Small [valid]
  • Meibomia tortuosa (Sw.) Kuntze [valid]
  • Hedysarum purpureum Mill. [valid]
  • Hedysarum tortuosum Sw. [valid]
  • Desmodium purpureum (Mill.) Fawc. & Rendle [illegitimate]
  • Desmodium stipulaceum DC. [valid]
  • Desmodium pulcherrimum Shuttlew. ex Griseb. [valid]
  • Meibomia physocarpa Kuntze [valid]
  • Meibomia stipulacea Kuntze [valid]
  • Desmodium tortuosum hirtellum DC. [valid]
  • Hedysarum stipulaceum Sessé ex DC. [invalid]

Description

Desmodium tortuosum (also called Tick-trefoil, among many other common names) is a perennial plant with trifoliate leaves and small, pinkish-purple flowers. It is native to the Americas and is found in moist, open habitats such as prairies and meadows.

Uses & Benefits

Desmodium tortuosum is used as a food source for livestock and as a source of fuelwood. It has also been used for medicinal purposes, such as treating skin diseases, as a laxative, and as an antiseptic.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Desmodium tortuosum has small, white, five-petaled flowers that have a yellow center. The seeds are small, dark brown, and oval shaped. The seedlings are small and have a single, oval-shaped leaf.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Desmodium tortuosum is a perennial herbaceous plant that is native to the tropics. It is easy to propagate from seed, which should be planted in a well-drained soil and kept moist. It can also be propagated from cuttings or by division of the root system.

Where to Find Desmodium tortuosum

Desmodium tortuosum can be found in India, China, and Southeast Asia.

Desmodium tortuosum FAQ

What is the scientific name of Desmodium tortuosum?

Desmodium tortuosum

What is the common name of Desmodium tortuosum?

Tortuous Desmodium

What is the natural habitat of Desmodium tortuosum?

It is found in dry, sandy soils in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico

Species in the Desmodium genus

Desmodium affine, Desmodium ambiguum, Desmodium amplifolium, Desmodium angustatum, Desmodium angustifolium, Desmodium arechavaletae, Desmodium arizonicum, Desmodium batocaulon, Desmodium bellum, Desmodium bioculatum, Desmodium bridgesii, Desmodium callilepis, Desmodium campyloclados, Desmodium canaliculatum, Desmodium chartaceum, Desmodium chiapense, Desmodium cinerascens, Desmodium coloniense, Desmodium conzattii, Desmodium cordistipulum, Desmodium crassum, Desmodium cubense, Desmodium cuneatum, Desmodium delotum, Desmodium densiflorum, Desmodium denudatum, Desmodium fernaldii, Desmodium floridanum, Desmodium foliosum, Desmodium ghiesbreghtii, Desmodium glabrescens, Desmodium gracile, Desmodium grahamii, Desmodium guadalajaranum, Desmodium hartwegianum, Desmodium hassleri, Desmodium helleri, Desmodium illinoense, Desmodium infractum, Desmodium intermedium, Desmodium jaliscanum, Desmodium johnstonii, Desmodium lamprocarpum, Desmodium lavanduliflorum, Desmodium leptoclados, Desmodium limense, Desmodium lindheimeri, Desmodium longiarticulatum, Desmodium luteolum, Desmodium macrodesmum,

Species in the Fabaceae family

References

Augustin Pyramus de Candolle (1778-1841): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'DC.' in the authors string.
Olof Swartz (1760-1817): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Sw.' in the authors string.