Desmodium tenuifolium Torrey & A. Gray. Common name: Slimleaf Tick-trefoil. Phenology: Jul-Aug; Aug-Oct. Habitat: Pine savannas, wet pine flatwoods. Distribution: Se. VA south to c. peninsular FL, west to w. LA. Reports from TX are based on misidentifications.
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Synonymy ⓘ: = C, F, Fl3, FNA11.1, G, K4, NS, POWO, RAB, SE3, Va, WH3, Isely (1998); = Meibomia tenuifolia (Torr. & A.Gray) Kuntze — S, S13. Basionym: Desmodium tenuifolium Torr. & A.Gray 1840
Links to other floras: = Desmodium tenuifolium - FNA11.1
Show parent genus | Show parent in key(s)
Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC
Heliophily ⓘ: 8
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© Jeffrey S. Pippen | Original Image ⭷
© Jeffrey S. Pippen | Original Image ⭷
© Jeffrey S. Pippen | Original Image ⭷
© Jeffrey S. Pippen | Original Image ⭷
© Jeffrey S. Pippen | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect to ascending perennial of wet pine flatwoods and savannas.
Stems: Stems subtly angled, simple or branched from the base, smooth or sparsely and minutely hairy.
Leaves: Leaves alternate; petiolate; divided into 3 thick-textured, linear leaflets, the terminal leaflet longer (to 2 1/2 in.) than laterals; all leaflets with netted venation, minutely hairy above and sparsely hairy and pale beneath.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers on stalks to 1/3 in. long in a terminal panicle, pink to purplish, 1/4 in. or less long, bilaterally symmetric with typical pea-flower shape.
Fruits: Fruit a flattened pod divided into nearly round segments and covered with minute hairs.
Comments: Differs from the similar D. strictum (p. xx) by having slightly rounded pod segments and occurring in wetter habitats.
Height: 1 1/2-3 ft.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Erect to ascending perennial of wet pine flatwoods and savannas.
stems: Stems subtly angled, simple or branched from the base, smooth or sparsely and minutely hairy.
leaves: Leaves alternate; petiolate; divided into 3 thick-textured, linear leaflets, the terminal leaflet longer (to 2 1/2 in.) than laterals; all leaflets with netted venation, minutely hairy above and sparsely hairy and pale beneath.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers on stalks to 1/3 in. long in a terminal panicle, pink to purplish, 1/4 in. or less long, bilaterally symmetric with typical pea-flower shape.
fruits: Fruit a flattened pod divided into nearly round segments and covered with minute hairs.
comments: Differs from the similar D. strictum (p. xx) by having slightly rounded pod segments and occurring in wetter habitats.
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: southeastern United States
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