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smooth small-leaf ticktrefoil

Scientific Name: Desmodium marilandicum

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names: NH (Maryland tick-trefoil)

       

Smooth Small-leaved Tick-trefoil (Desmodium marilandicum)

Also known as Maryland Tick-trefoil, Smooth Tick-trefoil, and Small-leaved Tick-trefoil, Desmodium marilandicum is a perennial forb belonging to the Pea Family.

Considerations for Pets

  • The plant produces fruit covered in tiny hooked hairs, which readily attach to fur.
  • Most species of Tick-trefoil have thin, woody stems.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Desmodium marilandicum (L.) DC.
  • Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)
  • Synonyms:
    • Hedysarum marylandicum L.
    • Desmodium metcalfei
    • Meibomia marilandica
    • Meibomia metcalfei

Distribution and Habitat

  • Smooth Small-leaved Tick-trefoil ranges throughout southern and eastern North America.
  • It is described as rare in one area.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Most Tick-trefoils are herbs or small shrubs.
  • Some species are trailing, while others have thin, woody stems.
  • Stems are generally smooth.
  • Leaves are trifoliate (composed of three leaflets).
  • Leaflets are narrowly oblong to lanceolate-oblong and smooth along their margins, with smooth to slightly hairy edges.
  • Leaflets have oblique to rounded bases and taper to a sharp pointed tip.
  • A pair of small stipules are present at the base of each trifoliate leaf.

Related Species

  • Other Desmodium species mentioned include:
    • Desmodium molliculum (Kunth) DC.
    • Desmodium nudiflorum (syn. Hylodesmum nudiflorum)
    • Desmodium concinnum DC.
    • Desmodium nemorosum F.Muell. ex Benth.
    • Desmodium lineatum (Michx.) DC.
    • Desmodium paniculatum
    • Desmodium heterocarpon
    • Desmodium ciliare
    • Desmodium laevigatum
    • Desmodium cuspidatum
    • Desmodium canadense
    • Desmodium glabellum
    • Desmodium rotundifolium
    • Desmodium longifolium (T. &amp G.)