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carpon desmodium

Scientific Name: Desmodium heterocarpon ssp. heterocarpon

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Carpon Desmodium (Desmodium heterocarpon)

Desmodium heterocarpon, commonly known as carpon desmodium or Asian ticktrefoil, is a perennial, herbaceous legume adapted to warm climates.

Considerations for Pets

  • The common name "ticktrefoil" and mentions of "hitch hikers" and "beggar lice" within the Desmodium genus may suggest the plant's seed dispersal mechanism involves sticking to fur.
  • Its growth habit as a low-growing, shrubby plant may make it readily accessible to pets.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Desmodium heterocarpon (L.) DC.
  • Common Names: Carpon desmodium, Asian ticktrefoil
  • Family: Fabaceae (pea or legume family)
  • Taxonomic Rank: Variety, Subspecies (Desmodium heterocarpon subsp. heterocarpon; Desmodium heterocarpon var. heterocarpon; Desmodium heterocarpon var. strigosum)
  • Synonyms: Meibomia heterocarpos (L.) Kuntze
  • Other Names: Buntut meyong sisir, kaci, akar entimor (Indonesian), rumput kerbau derapah, kacang kayu betina (Malaysian), mangkit-parang (Other).

Distribution and Habitat

  • Carpon desmodium is naturally distributed in Southeast Asia.
  • In the United States, it is adapted to South Florida and grows steadily with 1250 to 1500 mm of rain.
  • It is found in coastal regions of the southeast.
  • It is adapted to extensive areas of most flatwood soils.

Ecological Role

  • Carpon desmodium is grazed as a wild plant.
  • It can persist under continuous grazing, but is often slow to establish.
  • It has been combined with short-lived legumes for pasture use.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • It is a perennial, herbaceous, warm-season legume.
  • It has a creeping to shrubby growth habit.
  • 'Florida' carpon desmodium is described as long-lived.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Carpon desmodium is used in forage and cover crop applications.
  • It is a grazing-tolerant legume.
  • Many tropical legumes, including carpon desmodium, are susceptible to attack by common root-knot nematodes.
  • It has been used in combination with bahiagrass in Florida pastures.

Further Information

  • TSN 502017
  • Wikimedia Commons