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(Last Modified On 9/26/2013)
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(Last Modified On 9/26/2013)
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Species
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Desmodium molliculum (H.B.K.) DC.
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PlaceOfPublication
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Prodr. 2: 331. 1825.
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Synonym
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Hedysarum molliculum H.B.K., Nov. Gen. Sp. PI. 6: 405 (folio ed.); 6: 519 (quarto ed.). 1824. TYPE: Exact locality unknown (P; GH, photo). Heteroloma lanatum Desv. ex H.B.K., Nov. Gen. Sp. P1. 6: 405 (folio ed.); 6: 519 (quarto ed.). 1824, nomen nudum in syn. Desmodium mexicanum S. Watson, Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 23 (II. 15): 271. 1888. TYPE: Mexico. Chihuahua, pine plains at the base of the Sierra Madre, C. G. Pringle 1226 (GH, holotype). Meibomia mollicula (H.B.-K.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. P1. 1: 198. 1891.
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Description
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Herb, stem repent to scandent from a perennial rootstock, stems densely patent pilose with long white trichomes; leaves trifoliolate, stipulate, petiolate; stipules obliquely ovate, acuminate, striate, ciliate, puberulent and pilose on the abaxial surface, becoming reflexed at maturity, long persistent, 4-5 mm long, 2 mm wide; petioles sulcate, patent pilose, ca. 1 cm long, the leaf rachis similar, ca. 2-5 mm long; stipels lance attenuate, ciliate, persistent, ca. 2 mm long; pe- tiolules stouter than the leaf rachis, densely pilose 1-1.5 mm long; leaflets ap- pressed pilose on both the surfaces, the terminal leaflet suborbicular, slightly retuse or mucronulate at the apex, rounded to cuneate at the base, to 1.5 cm long and wide, lateral leaflets slightly oblique, cuneate at the base, ca. 1 cm long and wide. Inflorescence generally erect, racemose, rachis ridged and grooved, dense- ly uncinulate puberulent to pubescent and with some pilosity; pedicels borne in pairs (or 3's), each pair subtended by a primary bract and each pedicel further subtended by a smaller secondary bract, all early deciduous; primary bracts ovate acuminate, striate, ciliate, and somewhat pilose, 3-5.5 mm long and 1.5-2.5 mm wide; secondary bracts linear, ciliate, puberulent on abaxial surface, ca. 1 mm long and 0.2-0.5 mm wide; pedicels ascending, densely uncinulate puberulent, to ca. 1 cm long. Flowers with the calyx bilabiate, puberulent throughout, the central tooth of the lower lobe long acuminate and long pilose, 2.5-4 mm long, lateral teeth acute, only slightly pilose, 2-3 mm long, the upper slightly bifid lobe 2-3 mm long; standard obovate retuse, cuneate at the base, 5.5-6 mm long, 3-4 mm wide, the wings oblong, obtuse and truncate at the apex, unguiculate, 5-6 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, the keel petals scythe shaped, obtuse and truncate at the apex, long unguiculate, 6.5 mm long, 1.5 mm wide. Loment stipitate, to 5-artic- ulate, the articles curved above and below, the isthmi slightly eccentric, uncin- ulate pubescent throughout, to 5 mm long and 3.5 mm wide. Seed suborbicular to quadrate, 2 mm long, 1.5 mm wide.
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Habit
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Herb
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Distribution
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known from Panama from 2 incomplete specimens with smaller leaflets than usual. It occurs from Mexico to South America at rather high altitudes.
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Note
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The persistent, soon reflexed stipules, early deciduous bracts, and ascending pedicels in a rather loose raceme serve to distinguish D. molliculum from other species with similar habit and distribution. The seed measurements noted above were taken from Koch 77382 (A), Mexico.
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Specimen
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CHIRIQUI: Llanos del Volcan, 1120-1200 m, Seibert 345 (MO). 3 mi N of El Volcan on old lava flow, 5000 ft, Tyson 5833 (SCZ).
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