Florida beggarweed (Desmodium tortuosum, Prodr. 2: 332 (1825))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (Sw.) DC.

Bibliography: Prodr. 2: 332 (1825)

Year: 1825

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Desmodium

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Mexico to Trop. America

Description

Florida beggarweed, known scientifically as Desmodium tortuosum, is a notable member of the Fabaceae family. Originally catalogued in 1825 by the botanist (Sw.) DC., this plant thrives across a diverse geographical range that spans from Mexico to Tropical America. As a versatile and adaptable species, it has garnered attention for its presence in various ecosystems within these regions.

The plant is characterized by its distinct growth habits and resilient nature, allowing it to compete effectively within its native habitat. Florida beggarweed typically exhibits a robust, sprawling form, often found flourishing in disturbed soils and open areas where it can take advantage of sunlight and space.

The foliage of Desmodium tortuosum consists of trifoliate leaves, a common trait among members of the Fabaceae family. These leaves contribute to the plant’s photosynthetic efficiency and overall vitality. In addition, the plant produces small but conspicuous flowers, which aid in its reproductive cycle by attracting pollinators and facilitating seed dispersal.

Ecologically, Florida beggarweed plays a role in its native environments by enhancing soil quality through nitrogen fixation, a process common among legumes. This symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria converts atmospheric nitrogen into compounds that enrich the soil, benefiting other plant species in the vicinity.

Despite its ecological benefits, Florida beggarweed is often regarded as a weed in agricultural settings, particularly in crop fields where it can compete with cultivated species for resources. Control measures are sometimes necessary to manage its spread and to protect crop yields.

In summary, Desmodium tortuosum is a fascinating plant with significant ecological attributes and a widespread presence from Mexico to Tropical America. Its ability to thrive in varied conditions and its contribution to soil health underscore the important role it plays within its native habitats, despite its occasional status as an agricultural nuisance.

Common Names

Eng: dixie tick trefoil, dixie ticktrefoil, florida beggarweed, beggarweed
Por: amor-de-velho, barba-de-boi, carrapicho, pega-pega
Lin: tsambampota
En: Florida beggarweed, Beggarweed, Dixie ticktrefoil, Dixie Tick-Trefoil, Florida beggar weed, Dixie tick trefoil, Florida Tick-trefoil, Pega-pega, Sweetheart, Twisted Tick Trefoil, Amor-seco, Tick trefoil
Zh: 南美山蚂蟥, 紫花山螞蝗
Ln: Tsambampota
Pt: Amor-de-velho, Barba-de-boi, Carrapicho, Pega-pega
Pt-br: Amor-seco, Carrapicho-beiço-de-boi, Pega-pega, Esmódio
Zh-tw: 南美山螞蝗

Synonyms

• Meibomia purpurea ((Mill.) Vail)
• Meibomia physocarpa ((Vogel) Kuntze)
• Desmodium tortuosum var. hirtellum (DC.)
• Desmodium physocarpos (Vogel)
• Meibomia stipulacea ((DC.) Kuntze)
• Meibomia tortuosa ((Sw.) Kuntze)
• Hedysarum tortuosum (Sw.)
• Desmodium pulcherrimum (Shuttlew. ex Griseb.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Angola (introduced)
• Benin (introduced)
• Bismarck Archipelago (introduced)
• Burkina (introduced)
• Burundi (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Cape Verde (introduced)
• Central African Repu (introduced)
• Chad (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Congo (introduced)
• Cook Is. (introduced)
• Equatorial Guinea (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Gabon (introduced)
• Gambia (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Ghana (introduced)
• Gilbert Is. (introduced)
• Guinea (introduced)
• Guinea-Bissau (introduced)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Ivory Coast (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Madagascar (introduced)
• Malawi (introduced)
• Mali (introduced)
• Mauritania (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Mozambique (introduced)
• Nauru (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• Nigeria (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Pitcairn Is. (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Rwanda (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Senegal (introduced)
• Sierra Leone (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Suriname (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Togo (introduced)
• Tonga (introduced)
• Uganda (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Zambia (introduced)
• Zaïre (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

© 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.

Habit

Taken Sep 9, 2022 by Marzanna Bug (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

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

Leaf

Taken Nov 18, 2021 by Luz Diego (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 18, 2020 by Rajendra Rajendra Choure (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 4, 2022 by Humberto Nobre (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

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 Aug 15, 2019 by Fias Kat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 19, 2022 by Flor Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 7, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Flower

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

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)

Taken Apr 20, 2022 by al arnasson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2019 by Fias Kat (cc-by-sa)

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

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2967221)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1028008-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Desmodium tortuosum (Sw.) DC.)

Specifications

Growth