Alyce clover (Alysicarpus ovalifolius, Bull. Jard. Bot. État Bruxelles 24: 88 (1954))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (Schumach.) J.Léonard

Bibliography: Bull. Jard. Bot. État Bruxelles 24: 88 (1954)

Year: 1954

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Alysicarpus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Africa to Indian Subcontinent

Description

Alyce clover is a versatile and notable plant belonging to the Fabaceae family. Scientifically recognized as Alysicarpus ovalifolius, this plant has garnered interest due to its wide geographical distribution and adaptability.

Originating from Africa, Alyce clover has spread across diverse regions, reaching as far as the Indian Subcontinent. This extensive range is a testament to its resilience and adaptability to various climatic conditions. The plant thrives in an array of environments, from tropical to subtropical areas, showcasing its hardy nature and potential for widespread cultivation.

Characterized by its distinctive oval leaves, Alyce clover not only contributes to the ecological diversity of the regions it inhabits but also plays a crucial role in agriculture and land management. As a member of the Fabaceae family, it is involved in nitrogen fixation, a process crucial for enriching soil fertility and supporting sustainable agricultural practices. This makes it an invaluable plant for both natural ecosystems and human-managed landscapes.

The significance of Alyce clover is well-recognized in botanical literature, with its details extensively covered in scholarly resources. One such notable reference is found in the Bulletin du Jardin Botanique de l’État à Bruxelles, particularly noted in volume 24 on page 88, published in 1954. The authority of the description is credited to J. Léonard, building on the initial classification by Schumacher, thus underscoring the plant’s well-documented botanical heritage.

In summary, Alyce clover (Alysicarpus ovalifolius) stands out as a plant of considerable ecological and agricultural importance, bridging continents and proving its worth across varied habitats. Its role in nitrogen fixation and soil improvement highlights its potential in promoting sustainable land use and agricultural productivity. This plant not only enriches the regions it inhabits with its ecological contributions but also holds promise for future studies and applications in environmental management.

Common Names

Eng: alyce clover
En: Alyce clover, Alyce-clover

Synonyms

• Alysicarpus harnieri (Schweinf.)
• Alysicarpus paradoxus (Boivin ex Baill.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Angola (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Benin (native)
• Burkina (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Cape Verde (native)
• Central African Repu (native)
• Chad (native)
• Comoros (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Gambia (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Guinea-Bissau (native)
• India (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Mali (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Niger (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Oman (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Togo (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Chagos Archipelago (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Sep 18, 2022 by Prasad Nayak (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2009 by Antoine Foucart (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 6, 2009 by Antoine Foucart (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2009 by Antoine Foucart (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2009 by Pierre-Emmanuel GAY (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 6, 2009 by Antoine Foucart (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2009 by Antoine Foucart (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2009 by Antoine Foucart (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2009 by Pierre-Emmanuel GAY (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 15, 2009 by Antoine Foucart (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:473541-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8230720)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Alysicarpus ovalifolius (Schum.) Leonard)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth