Wild tantan (Desmanthus virgatus, Sp. Pl., ed. 4, 4: 1047 (1806))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (L.) Willd.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl., ed. 4, 4: 1047 (1806)

Year: 1806

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Desmanthus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Texas to S. America

Description

Wild tantan, scientifically named Desmanthus virgatus, belongs to the Fabaceae family. First cataloged in 1806, this resilient species is noted in the fourth edition of “Species Plantarum.”

Originating from Texas and extending all the way to South America, Wild tantan thrives in diverse environments. This plant is recognized for its hardy nature and adaptability to varying climatic conditions. Its widespread presence across such a vast geographical area highlights its robust ecological versatility.

Desmanthus virgatus plays a significant role in both natural ecosystems and cultivated landscapes. Its potential as a forage plant makes it invaluable in agricultural settings, especially in regions where maintaining soil health is crucial. Furthermore, its ability to fix nitrogen benefits surrounding plants, thereby enriching the soil and promoting biodiversity.

The adaptability of Wild tantan is one of its most remarkable traits, allowing it to flourish in a range of habitats from arid regions to more humid environments. This characteristic not only ensures the plant’s survival across different climates but also underscores its usefulness in reclamation projects and as a stabilizing force in erosion-prone areas.

In summary, Wild tantan, or Desmanthus virgatus, is a vital species within the Fabaceae family, contributing to both ecological balance and agricultural productivity across its extensive range from Texas to South America.

Common Names

Eng: wild tantan, virgate mimosa
En: Wild tantan, Desmanthus, Virgate mimosa, Dwarf Koa, Ground Tamarind, Petit Acacia, Petit Cassie, Petit Mimosa, Virgate Bundleflower
Zh: 多枝草合歡
Fi: Virpapuntikki
Fr: Petit Acacia, Petit mimosa
Zh-tw: 多枝草合歡
Th: ถั่วไมยรา

Synonyms

• Mimosa virgata (L.)
• Acacia depauperata (Mart. ex Steud.)
• Acacia leptosperma (Bello)
• Acuan depressum ((Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) Kuntze)
• Desmanthus depressus (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.)
• Acuan virgatum var. albiflorum (Kuntze)
• Desmanthus virgatus var. depressus ((Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) B.L.Turner)
• Acuan texanum (Britton & Rose)
• Acuan tracyi (Britton & Rose)
• Desmanthus tenellus (DC.)
• Acuan virgatum var. flaviflorum (Kuntze)
• Mimosa depressa ((Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) Poir.)
• Acacia angustisiliqua (Desf.)
• Desmanthus pratorum (Macfad.)
• Acuan virgatum ((L.) Medik.)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Aruba (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bermuda (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Chile Central (native)
• Chile North (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Florida (native)
• Galápagos (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guyana (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)
• Netherlands Antilles (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Texas (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Angola (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Verde (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Madagascar (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Ogasawara-shoto (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Rodrigues (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Senegal (introduced)
• Seychelles (introduced)
• Solomon Is. (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Wake I. (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Nov 11, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2021 by Justo Noguera (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2021 by Justo Noguera (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2021 by Justo Noguera (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2021 by Justo Noguera (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Nov 29, 2012 by J. Champ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2019 by nanrom (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 14, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 27, 2021 by joseph aruta (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 14, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Nov 11, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 14, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 25, 2022 by Jagadeesh G (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2022 by Shelley Brown (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2022 by Jagadeesh G (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 3, 2017 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Nov 20, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 3, 2017 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Mar 3, 2017 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (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/5360097)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1125234-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Desmanthus virgatus (L.) Willd.)

Specifications

Growth form>: Multiple Stem

Growth habit>: Subshrub, Forb/herb

Growth rate>: Slow

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 5.0