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red moneywort

Scientific Name: Alysicarpus rugosus

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Annual

Other Names:

       

Red Moneywort (Alysicarpus rugosus)

Alysicarpus rugosus, commonly known as red moneywort or rough chainpea, is an annual legume that can be found in various environments. This page provides information about its characteristics, distribution, and other interesting facts.

Considerations for Pets

  • Mention of "aquarium plants" indicates a potential use in aquatic environments where pets (e.g., fish, turtles) might interact with the plant.

Considerations for Children

  • The plant may produce small parts, such as flowers or leaves, that could present a choking hazard to young children.

Scientific Name and Common Names

  • Scientific Name: Alysicarpus rugosus (Willd.) DC.
  • Common Names: Red moneywort, rough chainpea, moneywort

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Family: Leguminosae (implied as it is a legume)
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species
  • Alysicarpus rugosus rugosus - subspecies, indicated with location (Angola, Ethiopia)
  • Alysicarpus suffruticosus - another species of Red Moneywort, indicated with location (Antarctica, Australia)

Distribution and Habitat

  • The plant is native, introduced, or of both statuses in various locations, although the specific details are not provided in this text.
  • It is found in Burkina Faso (BF), Benin (BJ), Nigeria (NG), and Tanzania, United Republic of (TZ).
  • It grows in ecoregions such as West Sudanian savanna (AT0722) and Southern Rift montane (AT1015).

Morphological Characteristics

  • It's an upright, robust annual legume.
  • It typically grows to a height of 60-150 cm.
  • The leaves are oblong to lanceolate, reaching up to 10 cm in length and 2 cm in width.
  • Some references indicate Moneywort is a low-growing herb with smooth stems that grow to 2 feet (61 cm).
  • Leaf bases may be spotted with small dark red dots.
  • Flowers may contain small red dots on the petals.

Ecological Role

  • Moneywort is capable of growing above the water surface, even rooting at its nodes when floated.

Quirky Facts

  • On rare occasions, some plants produce flowers with 6 petals and 6 stamens, instead of the usual number.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • The text mentions its use in planted aquariums, suggesting interactions with aquatic organisms like snails, shrimp and fish.

Traditional Uses

  • People take moneywort to treat diarrhea, increase the flow of saliva, and loosen mucus
  • Moneywort is sometimes applied directly to the skin as a gel, ointment

Further Information

  • USDA PLANTS database
  • Dave's Garden
  • Discover Life
  • USDA Forest Service: Weed of the Week factsheet for Moneywort