Desmodium viridiflorum (L.) DC.

Velvetleaf Tick Trefoil

© DETenaglia

Family - Fabaceae/Faboideae

Stems - No info. yet.

© DETenaglia

© DETenaglia

Leaves - No info. yet.

© DETenaglia

© DETenaglia

© DETenaglia

© DETenaglia

Inflorescence - No info. yet.

Flowers - No info. yet.

© DETenaglia

© DETenaglia

	Calyx.
© DETenaglia

	Immature fruits
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Flowering - July - September.

Habitat - Sandy open woods.

Origin - Native to U.S.

Other info. - This species can be found only in a few extreme southeastern counties of Missouri. Many plants in this genus are difficult to differentiate, this species is no exception. The leaves (and stems) of D. viridiflorum are covered with hooked pubescence which acts similar to velcro when placed on cloth or in hair. The leaves of this plant are also shiny adaxially. This is a stout plant with big, open inflorescences.
D. dillenii Darl. is similar but is a less stout plant with less pubescence and leaves which are much less shiny adaxially.
D. nuttallii (Schindl.) Schub. is very similar and differs only by having less pubescence on the leaf abaxially, thinner terminal leaflets, and smaller loments (of 2-4 segments) which are concave when mature.

Photographs taken in Brown Summit, NC., 9-14-02.