Desmodium

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Cladus: Rosids
Cladus: Eurosids I
Ordo: Fabales

Familia: Fabaceae
Subfamilia: Faboideae
Tribus: Desmodieae
Subtribus: Desmodiinae
Genus: Desmodium
Species: D. affine – D. alamanii – D. album – D. ambiguum – D. amplifolium – D. amplistipulaceum – D. angustatum – D. angustifolium – D. arechavaletae – D. arizonicum – D. axillare – D. barbatum – D. batocaulon – D. bellum – D. bioculatum – D. bridgesii – D. burkartii – D. cajanifolium – D. callilepis – D. campyloclados – D. canadense – D. canaliculatum – D. canescens – D. caripense – D. chartaceum – D. chiapense – D. ciliare – D. cinerascens – D. cinereum – D. coloniense – D. conzattii – D. cordistipulum – D. craibii – D. craspediferum – D. crassum – D. cubense – D. cuneatum – D. cuspidatum – D. delotum – D. densiflorum – D. denudatum – D. distortum – D. fernaldii – D. floridanum – D. foliosum – D. garhwalensis – D. ghiesbreghtii – D. glabellum – D. glabrescens – D. glabrum – D. gracile – D. grahamii – D. guadalajaranum – D. guaraniticum – D. guianense – D. hartwegianum – D. hassleri – D. helleri – D. hirsutum – D. hookerianum – D. illinoense – D. incanum – D. infractum – D. intermedium – D. intortum – D. jaliscanum – D. johnstonii – D. kaalense – D. laevigatum – D. lagopodioides – D. lamprocarpum – D. lavanduliflorum – D. leiocarpum – D. lempirae – D. leptoclados – D. leptomeres – D. limense – D. lindheimeri – D. lineatum – D. longiarticulatum – D. lupulinum – D. luteolum – D. macrocarpum – D. macrodesmum – D. macropodium – D. macrostachyum – D. madrense – D. marilandicum – D. maxonii – D. membranifolium – D. metallicum – D. metcalfei – D. mexiae – D. michelianum – D. michoacanum – D. micranthum – D. microcarpum – D. miniatura – D. molliculum – D. monticola – D. nicaraguense – D. nitidum – D. novogalicianum – D. nuttallii – D. obtusum – D. occidentale – D. ochroleucum – D. orbiculare – D. orizabanum – D. ospriostreblum – D. pachyrhizum – D. painteri – D. pallidum – D. palmeri – D. paniculatum – D. paraguanae – D. parkinsonii – D. perplexum – D. platycarpum – D. plectocarpum – D. plicatum – D. polygaloides – D. polystachyum – D. prehensile – D. pringlei – D. procumbens – D. prodigum – D. prostratum – D. pseudoamplifolium – D. psilocarpum – D. psilophyllum – D. purpusianum – D. purpusii – D. raymundoramirezii – D. retinens – D. rhynchodesmum – D. rhytidophyllum – D. riedelii – D. rosei – D. rotundifolium – D. saccatum – D. saxatile – D. scalare – D. schindleri – D. schubertianum – D. schusteri – D. sclerophyllum – D. scopulorum – D. scorpiurus – D. scutatum – D. seatonii – D. seleri – D. sericeum – D. sericocarpum – D. sericophyllum – D. serotinum – D. sessilifolium – D. siamense – D. skinneri – D. strictum – D. subrosum – D. subsecundum – D. subsericeum – D. subsessile – D. substipulaceum – D. subtile – D. sumichrastii – D. sylvicola – D. tastense – D. tenax – D. tenuifolium – D. tenuipes – D. tortuosum – D. triarticulatum – D. tweedyi – D. uncinatum – D. urarioides – D. vargasianum – D. varians – D. venosum – D. venustum – D. viridiflorum – D. volubile – D. weberbaueri – D. wydlerianum – D. xylopodium – D. yungasense
Nothospecies: D. x humifusum

Disputed species: D. aparines – D. podocarpum

D. adscendens - D. affine - D. angustifolium - D. aparines - D. arechavaletae - D. arizonicum - D. axillare - D. barbatum - D. batocaulon

Name

Desmodium Desv., J. Bot. Agric. 1(2): 122, t. 5, fig. 15. (1813), nom. et typ. cons.

Type species: Desmodium scorpiurus (Sw.) Poir., Dict. Sci. Nat., Ed. 2 F. Cuvier] 13: 110. (1819)

Synonyms

Heterotypic
Cyclomorium Walp., Repert. Bot. Syst. 2: 890 (1843)
Edusaron Medik., Vorles. Churpfälz. Phys.-Ökon. Ges. 2: 371 (1787), nom. superfl.
Meibomia Heist. ex Fabr., Enum.: 168 (1759), nom. rej.
Nephromeria (Benth.) Schindl., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 20: 281 (1924)
Nicolsonia DC., Prodr. 2: 325 (1825)
Nissoloides M.E.Jones, Contr. W. Bot. 18: 135 (1933)
Oxydium Benn. Pl., Jav. Rar.: 156 (1840)
Sagotia Duchass., & Walp. Linnaea 23: 737 (1851)
Tropitoma Raf., New Fl. 2: 19 (1837)

References
Primary references

Desvaux, N.A. 1813. Journal de Botanique, Appliquée à l'Agriculture, à la Pharmacie, à la Médecine et aux Arts 1(2): 122, t. 5, fig. 15.

Medikus, F.K. 1787. Versuch einer neuen Lehrart die Pflanzen nach zwei Methoden zugleich, nehmlich nach der künstlichen und natürlischen, zu ordnen, durch ein Beispiel einer natürlichen Familie erörtert [Neue methode bei Pflanzen zu ordnen] (vorgelesen den 17 May 1786). Vorlesungen der Churpfälzischen Physikalisch-Öconomischen Gesellschaft 2: [327]–460. Google Books Open access Reference page.

Additional references

Kazuaki, O., Hiroyoshi, O., Tomoyuki, N., Chika, A., Hayato, K., Koji, N., Hironori, O. & Kana, Y. 2018. Phylogenetic Analyses for Classification of the Desmodium Group of Leguminosae Tribe Desmodieae 2. Two New Genera Separated from Desmodium and Two New Combinations in Grona and Sohmaea. Journal of Japanese Botany [Shokubutsu Kenkyu Zasshi] 93(5): 293-306. ResearchGate Reference page.
Lima, L.C.P. et al. 2014: A taxonomic revision of Desmodium (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae) in Brazil. Phytotaxa 169(1): 1–119. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.169.1.1 Reference page.
Ohashi, K., Ohashi, H., Nemoto, T., Ikeda, T., Izumi, H., Kobayashi, H., Muragaki, H., Nata, K., Sato, N. & Suzuki, M. 2018. Phylogenetic analyses for a new classification of the Desmodium group of Leguminosae tribe Desmodieae. Journal of Japanese Botany [Shokubutsu Kenkyu Zasshi] 93(3): 165-189. ResearchGate Reference page.
Ohashi, H. & Ohashi, K. 2019. Desmodium (Leguminosae Tribe Desmodieae) of Africa, Madagascar and the Mascarene Islands. Journal of Japanese Botany [Shokubutsu Kenkyu Zasshi] 94(3): 135-148. ResearchGate Reference page.
Ohashi, H. & Ohashi, K. 2020. Systematic Position of Desmodium vidalii (Leguminosae Tribe Desmodieae) and Distribution of Desmodium in Indochina. Journal of Japanese Botany [Shokubutsu Kenkyu Zasshi] 95(1): 1-8. ResearchGate Reference page.

Links

Govaerts, R. et al. 2020. Desmodium in Kew Science Plants of the World Online. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published online. Accessed: 2020 Nov. 16. Reference page.
International Plant Names Index. 2020. Desmodium. Published online. Accessed: Nov. 16 2020. Reference page.
Tropicos.org 2020. Desmodium. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published online. Accessed: 16 Nov. 2020.

Desmodium is a genus of plants in the legume family Fabaceae, sometimes called tick-trefoil, tick clover, hitch hikers or beggar lice.[2] There are dozens of species and the delimitation of the genus has shifted much over time. Species are distributed widely – from Quebec to northern Argentina in the Americas, across northern and southern tropical Africa, in the southern Arabian Peninsula, in Myanmar and Thailand, New Guinea, and northern and eastern Australia.[1]
Description
Desmodium intortum
Desmodium triflorum
Beggar lice seeds readily stick to many objects, such as this shoe

These are mostly inconspicuous plants; few have bright or large flowers. Though some can become sizeable plants, most are herbs or small shrubs. Their fruit are loments, meaning each seed is dispersed individually enclosed in its segment. This makes them tenacious plants and some species are considered weeds in places.
Uses

Several Desmodium species release organic compounds, aerially and into the soil, which make them useful for agriculture: Allelopathic compounds are used there via push-pull technology. For this Desmodium heterocarpon (now Grona heterocarpos), Desmodium intortum, and Desmodium uncinatum are inter-cropped in maize and sorghum fields to suppress witchweeds, including Asiatic witchweed (Striga asiatica) and purple witchweed (S. hermonthica) and to repel Chilo partellus, a stem-boring grass moth.[3] Insects (including pests) are likewise repelled by high amounts of antixenotic allomones produced by Desmodium.

A blue dye is obtained from Desmodium incanum.

Tick-trefoils in agriculture can also be used as living mulch and as green manure, as they improve soil fertility via nitrogen fixation.

Most also make good fodder for animals including bobwhite, turkey, grouse, deer, cattle and goats.[3][4][5]

Wild-living, non-farmed deer appear to rely on Desmodium species in certain areas, particularly during the more stressful summer months.

The caterpillars of the lesser grass blue (Zizina otis) and the two-barred flasher (Astraptes fulgerator) feed on tick-trefoils.
Alkaloids

Some Desmodium species have formerly been known to contain high amounts of tryptamine alkaloids, but many of the tryptamine-containing species have since been transferred to other genera.[3]
Taxonomy and systematics

The taxonomy and systematics of the many dozens of Desmodium species are confusing and unresolved. Related genera such as Codariocalyx, Hylodesmum, Lespedeza, Ohwia, and Phyllodium were and sometimes still are included in Desmodium.[6]

Taxonomic authorities commonly disagree about the naming and placement of species. For example, Desmodium spirale as described by August Grisebach might refer to a distinct species, but its validity is doubtful. The "Desmodium spirale" of other authorities may refer to D. neomexicanum, D. ospriostreblum, or D. procumbens. Similarly, the plant originally described as D. podocarpum by A. P. de Candolle is Hylodesmum podocarpum today, but "Desmodium podocarpum" might also refer to D. hookerianum or Hylodesmum laxum, depending on the taxonomic authority.[6]
Selected species
Main article: List of Desmodium species

Species include:[1][6][7]
Desmodium oojeinense

Desmodium acanthocladum F.Muell.
Desmodium canadense (L.) DC. – showy tick-trefoil, Canadian tick-trefoil
Desmodium canescens (L.) DC. – hoary tick-trefoil
Desmodium ciliare (Muhl.) DC. – hairy small-leaved tick-trefoil
Desmodium cuspidatum (Muhl.) Loudon – toothed tick-trefoil, large-bracted tick-trefoil
Desmodium fernaldii B.G.Schub.
Desmodium glabellum (Michx.) DC.
Desmodium × humifusum (Muhl. ex Bigelow) Beck
Desmodium illinoense A.Gray – Illinois tick-trefoil
Desmodium incanum (Sw.) DC. – creeping beggarweed, Spanish tick-trefoil, Kaimi clover
Desmodium intortum Greenleaf desmodium, kuru vine, beggarlice, tick clovers
Desmodium lineatum (Michx.) DC. – linear-leaved tick-trefoil
Desmodium marilandicum (L.) DC. – smooth small-leaved tick-trefoil
Desmodium molliculum (Kunth) DC.
Desmodium ospriostreblum Chiov.
Desmodium paniculatum (L.) DC. – panicled tick-trefoil
Desmodium perplexum B.G.Schub. – perplexed tick-trefoil
Desmodium rotundifolium DC. – round-leaved tick-trefoil, dollar leaf
Desmodium sessilifolium (Torr. ex M.A.Curtis) Torr. & A.Gray
Desmodium tortuosum (Sw.) DC.
Desmodium triflorum (L.) DC.
Desmodium tweedyi Britton – Tweedy's tick-trefoil
Desmodium uncinatum (Jacq.) DC.– silver-leaved tick-trefoil, silverleaf
Desmodium varians (Labill.) G.Don

Formerly placed here

Codariocalyx motorius – telegraph plant (as D. gyrans, D. motorium, D. roylei)
Dendrolobium triangulare (as D. Desmodium umbellatum Moritz.)
Dendrolobium umbellatum (as D. umbellatum (L.) Benth. )
Grona heterocarpos (as D. heterocarpon (Michx.) DC.)
Hylodesmum laxum (as D. laxum DC.)
Hylodesmum laxum ssp. laxum (as D. austro-japonense, D. bambusetorum, D. gardneri auct. non Benth., D. laxiflorum sensu Miq., D. laxum var. kiusianum, D. laxum ssp. laxum, D. podocarpum auct. non DC. non Hook. & Arn., D. podocarpum DC. var. gardneri sensu Bedd., D. podocarpum DC. var. laxum)
Hylodesmum leptopus (as D. gardneri Benth., D. laxum auct. non DC., D. laxum ssp. leptopus, D. leptopus, D. tashiroi)
Hylodesmum podocarpum (as D. podocarpum DC., D. podocarpum DC. var. indicum, D. podocarpum DC. var. japonicum)
Hylodesmum podocarpum ssp. oxyphyllum (as D. fallax var. mandshuricum, D. japonicum, D. mandshuricum, D. oxyphyllum DC., D. podocarpum DC. var. mandshuricum, D. podocarpum DC. ssp./var. oxyphyllum, D. podocarpum DC. var. polyphyllum, D. podocarpum DC. var. typicum, D. racemosum)
Lespedeza thunbergii (as D. formosum, D. thunbergii)

Lespedeza thunbergii was formerly known as Desmodium formosum and Desmodium thunbergii

Lespedeza thunbergii var. thunbergii (as D. penduliflorum Oudem.)
Maekawaea macrocarpa (as D. macrocarpum)
Maekawaea rhytidophylla (as D. rhytidophyllum)
Maekawaea tenax (as D. tenax)
Ohwia caudata (as D. caudatum)
Phyllodium pulchellum (as D. pulchellum)

References

International Legume Database & Information Service (ILDIS) (2005): Genus Desmodium. Version 10.01, November 2005. Retrieved 2007-DEC-17.

"Desmodium Desv". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
"Desmodium (Beggarlice, Beggars Lice, Hitch Hikers, Tick's Clover, Tick-trefoil) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox".
"The Plant Encyclopedia - Desmodium". The Plant Encyclopedia. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
"Plants Profile for Desmodium (ticktrefoil)". plants.usda.gov.
"Know Your Deer Plants: Beggar's Lice - Quality Deer Management Association". 25 January 2012. Archived from the original on 14 August 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
ILDIS (2005)
Pires Lima LC, de Queiroz LP, de Azevedo Tozzi AMG, Lewis GP (2014). "A Taxonomic Revision of Desmodium (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae) in Brazil". Phytotaxa. 169 (1): 1–119. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.169.1.1.