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western trailing ticktrefoil

Scientific Name: Desmodium procumbens var. procumbens

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Annual

Other Names:

       

Desmodium procumbens

Also known as Western Trailing Ticktrefoil.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant is a forb/herb, a non-woody plant.

Considerations for Children

  • This plant is a forb/herb, a non-woody plant.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species
  • Family: Fabaceae (Legume family)
  • Synonyms:
    • Desmodium sylvaticum Benth.
    • Desmodium tenuiculum DC.
    • Hedysarum procumbens
    • Desmodium spirale DC.
  • Varieties:
    • Desmodium procumbens var. exiguum (A. Gray) B.G. Schub.
    • Desmodium procumbens var. procumbens

Common Names

  • Western Trailing Ticktrefoil
  • Western Trailing Tickclover
  • Tick Clover
  • Pega Pega (Spanish)
  • Eastern Trailing Tick-trefoil
  • Eastern Trailing Ticktrefoil

Distribution and Habitat

  • This plant's floral region includes North America, specifically the US Lower 48.
  • Specific locations mentioned include Arizona (Warsaw Canyon, Santa Cruz Co.), Delaware, and St. Croix River.
  • Found in dry sandy woods, such as those from eastern Massachusetts to New York, western New Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania to South Carolina.

Morphological Characteristics

  • It is a perennial herb.
  • Stems are woody below, or from a woody crown or caudex.
  • It possesses a taproot.
  • Nodules are present.
  • Stems are prostrate, trailing, or mat-forming.
  • Field descriptions mention trailing, hairy stems reaching up to 3 feet long.

Ecological Role

  • Round-leaved trailing tick-trefoil (Desmodium rotundifolium) is listed as threatened in Vermont and New Hampshire, so similar species of Desmodium may have important ecological value.

Similar Species

  • Round-leaf tick-trefoil or beggar-lice (Desmodium sp.)
  • Desmodium humifusum (Eastern Trailing Ticktrefoil)

Further Information

  • Discover Life: Biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution information.
  • Dave's Garden: Gardening tips and ideas.
  • Garden Guides: Plant information, identification, uses, and gardening tips.
  • USWildflowers Database State List for West Virginia
  • Encyclopedia of Life