Spanish tick-clover

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Spanish tick-clover
• silverleaf desmodium

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Meibomia pilosiuscula
• Meibomia limensis var. pilosiuscula
• Meibomia uncinata
• Desmodium pilosiusculum
• Desmodium sinclairii
• Meibomia sinclairii
• Desmodium sandwicense
• Desmodium uncinatum var. gracile
• Desmodium hjalmarsonii
• Hedysarum uncinatum
• Meibomia hjalmarsonii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is a member of the family Fabaceae. Specifically, it is classified under the genus Desmodium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is specifically noted in the countries of Ghana and Nigeria. Moving toward the center of the continent, it can be found within the West-Central Tropical Africa region, particularly in Cameroon. The species also extends into Northeast Tropical Africa, where it is documented in Ethiopia. Finally, its range reaches East Tropical Africa, including the nation of Kenya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Desmodium uncinatum is characterized by a remarkable adaptability to diverse Brazilian biomes and a broad altitudinal distribution. This species is found across a wide variety of habitats, ranging from open landscapes such as Campo de Altitude, Campo Limpo, and Campo Rupestre, to the complex structures of the Cerrado (latu sensu). It also thrives within various forest types, including Floresta Ciliar or Galeria, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual, Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial), and Floresta Ombrófila Mista. Its vertical distribution is equally extensive, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) to high-altitude environments reaching a maximum of 3300 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 1725 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

3300 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1725 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campo de Altitude, Campo Limpo, Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista

Genetics

The genetics of Desmodium uncinatum are characterized by a specific chromosomal configuration that serves as a fundamental indicator of its cytological profile. Specifically, this species possesses a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 22. This numerical value is a key genetic parameter used in the taxonomic differentiation and cytogenetic study of the genus Desmodium, providing essential data for understanding its evolutionary lineage and reproductive biology. Such chromosomal stability plays a critical role in the maintenance of the species' genomic integrity and its ability to undergo meiosis during sexual reproduction.

Chromosome number :

22

Life history

The life history of Desmodium uncinatum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth and survival strategy, the species exhibits life forms that can be categorized as both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte, reflecting its ability to maintain woody or semi-woody stems above the ground level to facilitate its reproductive and vegetative development.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Desmodium uncinatum is characterized by a growth form that functions as a woody subshrub or herb, exhibiting a self-supporting habit rather than acting as an obligatory or facultative climber. The plant maintains a relatively low stature, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 0.9 m. It is classified as a terrestrial species, existing in non-aquatic or semiaquatic environments, and does not function as an epiphyte or a parasite, maintaining an independent biological existence. Its structural composition is distinctly woody, supporting its development as a compact, self-sustaining terrestrial plant.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.9 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Desmodium uncinatum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency within its ecological niche. The plant's vegetative structure is defined by its leaf morphology, where individual leaves typically range in length from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 10 cm. Complementing these longitudinal dimensions, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 1 cm and a maximum of 6 cm, providing a specific surface area optimized for light interception and gas exchange consistent with its C3 metabolic profile.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

6 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Desmodium uncinatum is characterized by the development of specialized fruit structures known as pods. These pods exhibit measurable morphological variation, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 4 cm, and widths varying between 0.3 cm and 0.4 cm. The fruit is classified as dehiscent, meaning it is capable of splitting open to facilitate the dispersal of its seeds. Regarding the seeds contained within, they are quite small and lightweight, with a mean mass of approximately 0.004945 g. The individual seed mass fluctuates within a narrow range, with a minimum recorded at 0.00425 g and a maximum of 0.00564 g.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Fruit length max:

4 cm

Fruit length min:

2.5 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Fruit width max:

0.4 cm

Fruit width min:

0.3 cm

Seed mass max:

0.00564 g

Seed mass mean:

0.004945 g

Seed mass min:

0.00425 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Desmodium uncinatum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Condensed Tannin, SAPONIN, Tannin.

Condensed Tannin

1. Tropical animal health and production

SAPONIN

1. Tropical animal health and production

Tannin

1. The British journal of nutrition