Green-leaf Tick-Trefoil

Desmodium intortum

Observed alongside a village road in Wundanyi, Kenya. May 2017.

FLOWERS: The pink to purple flowers are set in spikes at the terminus of a long, wand-like peduncle.

HERB: Almost entirely herbaceous growing rather vine-like as it climbs atop other plants or through fences.

LEAVES: Leaves are compound with three, broad leaflets. Usually these are simply green without variegations.

RANGE: Widely distributed due to introduction as a forage legume. Prefers moist soil areas.

FRUIT: The small bean pods are clearly segmented between the small bean-seeds. These pods are covered with hooked hairs that cause them to adhere to clothing of fur.

UNARMED.

Fabaceae -- Bean Family -- Paplionoideae - Typical Bean Family

More Information:

• Book: Upland Kenya Wild Flowers and Ferns by A. D. Q. Agnew, 3rd Revised Edition, 2013, Nature Kenya - The East Africa Natural History Society
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