Tephrosia hispidula
| Tephrosia hispidula | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Tephrosia |
| Species: | T. hispidula
|
| Binomial name | |
| Tephrosia hispidula (Michx.) Pers
| |
Tephrosia hispidula, also known as sprawling hoarypea, is a species of perennial legume native to North America.[1]
Description
The stems of T. hispidula range from decumbent to erect in stature, reaching a length of up to 50 cm (20 in).[2] The leaves are narrowly elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate in shape, with bicolored blades ranging in length from 9 to 20 cm (3.5 to 7.9 in).[3] They are glabrous to densely pubescent on the top and sparsely to densely pubescent on the underside.[2]
Inflorescence occurs opposite the leaves, ranging from 5 to 15 cm (2.0 to 5.9 in) in length, with a flattened peduncle or terete and narrowly lanceolate to linear bracts.[2] The corolla starts as white to yellow in coloration, transitioning over time to reddish.[3]
When legumes are produced they are 3 to 4.2 cm (1.2 to 1.7 in) in length and sparsely to moderately pubescent, with trichomes at least 0.6 mm (0.024 in) in length.[2]
Distribution and habitat
Tephrosia hispidula is endemic to the southeastern region of the United States, its range stretching from Virginia south to Florida and westward to Louisiana.[1] It may be found in environments such as pine savannas, sandhills, hardwood swamps, wiregrass woodlands, and alongside rivers.[4][5]
References
- ^ a b "USDA Plants Database". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-30.
- ^ a b c d Radford, Albert E.; Ahles, Harry E.; Bell, C. Ritchie (21 December 1968). Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. The University of North Carolina Press. ISBN 978-0807810873.
- ^ a b "Tephrosia hispidula - FNA". floranorthamerica.org. Retrieved 2025-10-30.
- ^ "Tephrosia hispidula (Sprawling Hoarypea) - FSUS". fsus.ncbg.unc.edu. Retrieved 2025-10-30.
- ^ Conde, Louis F.; Swindel, Benee F.; Smith, Joel E. (20 January 1983). "Plant species cover, frequency, and biomass: Early responses to clearcutting, burning, windrowing, discing, and bedding in Pinus elliottii flatwoods". Forest Ecology and Management. 6 (4): 319–331. Bibcode:1983ForEM...6..319C. doi:10.1016/0378-1127(83)90040-3.