Alyce-clover (Alysicarpus vaginalis, Prodr. 2: 353 (1825))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (L.) DC.

Bibliography: Prodr. 2: 353 (1825)

Year: 1825

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Alysicarpus

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Africa, Trop. & Subtrop. Asia to N. Australia

Description

Alyce-clover, known scientifically as Alysicarpus vaginalis, is a versatile and widespread plant belonging to the Fabaceae family. First documented in the early 19th century, its formal recognition was noted in the Prodr. 2: 353 (1825) by (L.) DC.

This hardy plant thrives in a range of environments, from the tropical and subtropical zones of Africa and Asia to the northern reaches of Australia. Its adaptability to various climates makes it a common sight in diverse regions. Alyce-clover is easily recognized by its striking features that include small, dense clusters of vibrant flowers, which add a touch of color to the landscapes it inhabits.

Alyce-clover is more than just aesthetically pleasing; it plays a significant role in the ecosystems where it grows. As a member of the Fabaceae family, it contributes to soil enrichment through nitrogen fixation—a process where the plant’s roots naturally convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that can be utilized by other plants. This quality makes Alysicarpus vaginalis a valuable component in agricultural and natural settings, promoting healthier soils and more robust plant communities.

In traditional uses, Alyce-clover has been employed in various cultural practices and herbal remedies, drawing on its rich presence in different regions. Its broad distribution signifies its importance in local biodiversity, supporting various insect and animal species that rely on it for food and habitat.

Overall, Alyce-clover stands as a testament to the dynamic interplay between plant species and their environments, showcasing the intricate balance of nature and the enduring significance of botanical diversity.

Common Names

Eng: white moneywort, alyce-clover, buffalo-bur, buffalo-clover, one-leaf-clover, cistern pea nut, alyce clover, buffalo clover, sistern pea nut
Fra: alysicarpus
Spa: maní cimarrón
Ita: trifoglio d’alice
En: Alyce-clover, One-leaf-clover, Buffalo-bur, Buffalo-clover, White moneywort, Cistern Pea Nut, Alyce Clover, Buffalo Clover, Sistern Pea Nut, Oneleaf Clover
My: သံမနိုင်ကျောက်မနိုင်
Zh: Lian jia dou, 煉莢豆, 链荚豆
Fr: Alysicarpus, Alysicarpus vaginalis
Ha: Gadagi
It: Trifoglio d’alice
Ml: നില ഓരില
Es: Maní cimarrón
Zh-tw: 煉莢豆
Vi: Đậu vảy ốc

Synonyms

• Hedysarum vaginale (L.)
• Hallia vaginalis ((L.) J.St.-Hil.)

Distribution

• Angola (native)
• Assam (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Benin (native)
• Bismarck Archipelago (native)
• Borneo (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Central African Repu (native)
• Chad (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Comoros (native)
• Congo (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Equatorial Guinea (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Gulf States (native)
• Hainan (native)
• India (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Kenya (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Laccadive Is. (native)
• Laos (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Maldives (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Mauritius (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Nepal (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• Niger (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Oman (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Rodrigues (native)
• Rwanda (native)
• Réunion (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Socotra (native)
• Solomon Is. (native)
• South China Sea (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Swaziland (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Togo (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Bahamas (introduced)
• Belize (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Brazil North (introduced)
• Brazil Northeast (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• Brazil West-Central (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Cayman Is. (introduced)
• Chagos Archipelago (introduced)
• Christmas I. (introduced)
• Cocos (Keeling) Is. (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Cook Is. (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• French Guiana (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Guyana (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Nauru (introduced)
• Netherlands Antilles (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• Nicaragua (introduced)
• Nicobar Is. (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Panamá (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Seychelles (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Southwest Caribbean (introduced)
• Suriname (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Tonga (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Vanuatu (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Wallis-Futuna Is. (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bart Wursten (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − W. L. Wagner (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Oct 19, 2020 by Coral Prince (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 11, 2022 by Valentine Cousin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 25, 2022 by Mélanie Herteman (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 9, 2021 by kaloriu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 29, 2021 by Tia Tait (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2020 by Marie Carpentier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2020 by Elsie Adaias (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 22, 2021 by Juan Carlos Ordonez (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bart Wursten (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bart Wursten (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bart Wursten (cc-by-nc)

Taken Oct 30, 2021 by Marzanna Bug (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 16, 2022 by amandine escarguel (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 16, 2017 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 13, 2021 by Katherine Sigman (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2021 by Katherine Sigman (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 14, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Sep 14, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Fruit

Taken Dec 1, 2019 by Rajendra Rajendra Choure (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 23, 2022 by Aman Mahla (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 2022 by Gaurav Java (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Más & Lugo-Torres (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 16, 2022 by amandine escarguel (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Nov 27, 2020 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)

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

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

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

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2948605)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:473569-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Alysicarpus vaginalis (L.) DC.)

Specifications

Growth