SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 14319.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "14319" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Hawai'i ticktrefoil

Scientific Name: Desmodium sandwicense

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Subshrub, Shrub, Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Hawai'i Ticktrefoil (Desmodium sandwicense)

Desmodium sandwicense, commonly known as Hawai'i ticktrefoil, is a perennial forb/herb, shrub, or subshrub belonging to the Fabaceae (Legume) family.

Considerations for Pets

  • The text indicates a "No" rating for safety with dogs and cats, but this requires further verification and should not be considered definitive.

Considerations for Children

  • The text indicates a "No" rating for safety with children, but this requires further verification and should not be considered definitive.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Desmodium sandwicense E. Mey.
  • Family: Fabaceae (Legume family)
  • Synonyms:
    • Desmodium uncinatum auct. non (Jacq.) DC.
    • Meibomia uncinata auct. non (Jacq.) Kuntze.
  • USDA PLANTS Symbol: DESA81

Common Names

  • Hawai'i ticktrefoil (preferred common name)
  • Hawaiian tick trefoil
  • Chili Clover
  • Spanish Clover
  • Hawai'i Tick-trefoil
  • Kaimi clover (Hawai'i)
  • Ka?imi (Hawai?i)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to Hawai'i (HI) and possibly other regions (PB - Protologue Based, I - Introduced). Further research is needed to confirm native/introduced status accurately.
  • Naturalized and common in dry, disturbed areas in Hawai'i. Found on Kaua`i, O`ahu, Moloka`i, Lana`i, Maui, and Hawai`i.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habit

  • Growth Habit: Forb/herb, Shrub, Subshrub
  • Duration: Perennial
  • Leaf Type: Deciduous
  • Lifespan: Perennial
  • Structure: Shrub

Ecological Role

  • The text describes this species as "exotic" in the U.S. Further investigation would be needed to confirm if it is considered invasive and the impacts of its presence.

Associated Species

  • Mentioned in the same context as Hesperocnide sandwicensis (Hawai'i Stingingnettle).
  • Mentioned with Bidens hawaiensis (Hawai'i beggarticks) in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
  • Mentioned with Desmodium triflorum (threeflower ticktrefoil).

Quirky Facts

  • The common name "ticktrefoil" likely refers to the plant's seed pods, which can cling to fur or clothing like ticks.

Further Information

  • USDA PLANTS Database: Provides information and resources about Desmodium sandwicense.
  • Invasive Plant Atlas: A potential resource for information on invasive status and ecological impact.