Scientific Family
Fabaceae
Synonyms
Meibomia grahamii
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
15 inches
Riparian
No
Growth pattern is sprawling to 2 feet forming a ground cover. Viney in appearance with sticky, reddish, hairy stems.
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.
Habitat
Clearings in pine woods and hillsides.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Low elevation
4500
High elevation
8000
Flower Characteristics
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.
Flower color
Pink
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Has trifoliate leaves. Leaflets are slightly curved upward to 2 inches long. Leaflets are hairy on both upper and lower surfaces.
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Grayish-green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit is hairy, light green in color and appears bead-like with 3 to 5 joints. Fruit is compressed between seeds.
Fruit type
Pod
Fruit color
Green and black or brown
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.