Desmodium intortum
Desmodium intortum · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (0 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Desmodium intortum is a versatile herbaceous legume frequently utilized in specialized livestock diets. This plant is highly valued as a nutritional component in hay preparations to support animal health. A defining characteristic of this species is its concentration of bioactive compounds, specifically condensed tannins and tannins. These chemical properties play a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency of the forage. Consequently, it serves as a significant resource within various agricultural feeding programs.
- Synonyms
- Meibomia Trigona · Meibomia Adhaesiva · 12 more
- Common names
- Not available
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Distribution
- Not available
- Plant Parts
- Not available
Classification
Common Names
Desmodium intortum is a versatile plant known by a wide variety of regional monikers. It is frequently referred to as Greenleaf Ticktrefoil or simply as Maricao in certain areas. In different linguistic contexts, it may also be called Trébol garrapata or amor seco. Some people even recognize it by the descriptive English name beggar-lice. This diversity of names reflects the plant's widespread presence across various cultures and landscapes.
Sources: Catalogue of Life (COL)
Synonyms
Desmodium intortum is a botanical subject characterized by a complex web of taxonomic synonyms. Scientific records identify this species under several different names, including Desmodium adhaesivum and Desmodium aparines. The nomenclature further expands to include Desmodium intortum var. apiculatum and Desmodium nantouensis. Additionally, the plant has been historically referred to as Desmodium sonorae in various studies. Understanding these shifting relationships is essential for maintaining accuracy in botanical classification.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Taxonomy
Desmodium intortum is a fascinating member of the kingdom Plantae. Within this vast biological realm, the species belongs to the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the order Fabales, which defines its evolutionary lineage. This plant is a distinguished representative of the genus Desmodium. Ultimately, it finds its taxonomic home within the diverse family Fabaceae.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Fabales |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Genus | Desmodium |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
Geographic Regions
Desmodium intortum exhibits a wide and diverse geographical range spanning several regions across the African continent. This plant can be found throughout East Tropical Africa, with notable populations located in both Kenya and Uganda. Its presence also extends into South Tropical Africa, where it thrives in the landscapes of Angola and Malawi. Remarkably, the species' distribution reaches beyond the mainland to include the remote island of St. Helena in the Middle Atlantic Ocean. Such a broad reach highlights the plant's ability to adapt to various ecological niches across different African territories.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Identification
Morphology
Desmodium intortum is a self-supporting herb characterized by its distinct growth form. This plant typically reaches a maximum height of 1 meter, though it can be found as small as 0.3 meters. Its compact stature allows it to thrive within its specific ecological niche. Such structural versatility makes it a notable specimen among herbaceous species.
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Biological Activities
Compounds
Desmodium intortum is a tropical legume known to contain condensed tannins, which play a significant role in the digestive processes of ruminants. Research indicates that these tannins can exist in various forms, including free, protein-bound, and fibre-bound states, during metabolism in the gastrointestinal tract. The presence of these tannins in the plant helps to protect dietary protein from degradation within the rumen of sheep and goats. Furthermore, studies have shown that the concentration of tannins in leguminous forages like Desmodium intortum correlates with the effectiveness of tannin-binding agents in improving nitrogen degradation. Ultimately, while these tannins influence nutrient utilization, their inclusion in diets at specific levels does not necessarily result in detrimental effects on overall animal performance.
Conditions
Desmodium intortum plays a significant role in animal nutrition by impacting the in vitro degradability of nitrogen (IVDN). The presence of condensed tannins within this plant influences the metabolism of condensed tannins (CT) as they pass through the gastrointestinal tract. Research indicates that these tannins from Desmodium intortum can protect dietary protein from degradation in the rumen. Furthermore, the inclusion of this legume affects the overall digestion of protein and carbohydrates in species such as sheep and goats. Ultimately, the interaction between the plant's tannins and the digestive system determines the efficiency of nutrient utilization.
Preparations
Desmodium intortum is prepared as diets for sheep and goats to study the effects of condensed tannins on protein and carbohydrate digestion. This plant is also prepared as hay, specifically when mixed with pangola grass to evaluate the metabolism of radioactive tannins in ruminants. Furthermore, Desmodium intortum is prepared as herbaceous legumes used in in vitro studies to determine the degradability of nitrogen. These various preparations allow researchers to assess how tannin-binding agents like polyethylene glycol can improve nutrient utilization. Consequently, the different ways Desmodium intortum is prepared as diets, hay, and herbaceous legumes provide essential data for livestock supplementation strategies.