Species Detail Forb

Flowers Highlands Center for Natural History - Sue Smith		Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants Desmodium grahamii - Graham's ticktrefoil Synonyms: Meibomia grahamii Plant Form: Forb or Subshrub Family: Fabaceae
Flowers Highlands Center for Natural History - Sue Smith


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Flower spike Highlands Center for Natural History Sue Smith	Flower buds Highlands Center for Natural History Sue Smith	Leaves Highlands Center for Natural History Sue Smith	Leaves Highlands Center for Natural History Sue Smith	Plant - summer Highlands Center for Natural History Sue Smith	Fruit Highlands Center for Natural History Sue Smith

Forb Plant Description

Origin: Native Life Cycle: Perennial
General Desc: Growth pattern is sprawling to 2 feet forming a ground cover. Viney in appearance with sticky, reddish, hairy stems.
Identification notes: The larger size of the trifoliate leaves and the fruits that are less deeply notched above than below distinguish this species from other Desmodium species.
Height: 15 inches

Habitat

Habitat Description: Clearings in pine woods and hillsides.
Plant Communities: Pinyon Juniper Woodland, Montane Conifer Forest
Elevation: 4500 - 8000 feet

Flower Characteristics

Color: Pink Shape: Irregular in elongated clusters Tubular: N Flowering Period: Jun - Sep
Description: The outer lobes are light pink while the inner lobes have a darker pink color. Can turn purple with age. Pea-shaped to 3/8 inch long. Stamens project forward. Flowers cluster in an upright raceme in leaf axils and terminal.

Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaf Color: Grayish-green Leaf Type: Compound Leaf Shape: Round or oval Leaf Margin: Smooth Leaf Attachment: Alternate Leaves Clasp: N
Hairs: Leaves and stems Spines: N
Leaf Description: Has trifoliate leaves. Leaflets are slightly curved upward to 2 inches long. Leaflets are hairy on both upper and lower surfaces.

Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit Color: Green and black or brown
Fruit Type: Pod
Fruit Notes: Fruit is hairy, light green in color and appears bead-like with 3 to 5 joints. Fruit is compressed between seeds.
Seed Notes: Has 3 to 10 seeds per fruit. Seeds are ovoid to rounded in outline with a smooth surface. Seed colors include olive, brown, or black.


	Arizona Cooperative Extension Yavapai County 840 Rodeo Dr #C Prescott, AZ 86305 (928) 445-6590	Version 8.0 http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailForb.php Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022 Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson Legal Disclaimer