Glycine max

Herbs 0.2–1 m. Stems ± ribbed, hairs reddish brown. Leaves: petiole (2–)8–15(–24) cm; rachis 5–30 mm, sparsely hairy; stipels linear-lanceolate; leaflet blades ovate-elliptic to orbiculate, 3–10(–15) × 2.5–8 cm, base broadly rounded, apex obtuse to subacute. Racemes: bracteoles lanceolate, 2–3 mm, hairy. Pedicels 2–4 mm. Flowers: calyx 4–7 mm; stamens 2.5 mm; anthers broadly ellipsoid, 0.3 mm. Legumes 2.5–8.5 cm × 8–15 mm, often tardily dehiscent. Seeds light to dark brown, sometimes mottled, 6–11 mm. 2n = 40.

Phenology: Flowering summer–early fall.
Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, railroad ballast, drainage ditches.
Elevation: 0–300 m.

Introduced; Ont., Que., Ala., Ark., Del., Ga., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Ky., La., Md., Mass., Mich., Minn., Miss., Mo., Nebr., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Pa., S.C., Tenn., Vt., Va., W.Va., Wis., Asia (China), introduced also in South America, s Europe, elsewhere in Asia, Africa, Australia.

Discussion

Glycine max is cultivated for the extraction of oil, for the edible seeds, and for animal fodder; it is estimated that it provides about one-third of all protein used by humans. It is not known as a wild plant in its native China, and is believed to have originated as a selection from G. soja Siebold & Zuccarini. The latter is a twining herb with seeds 2.5–4 mm. Glycine max probably is not truly naturalized in Canada and some of the states listed for the flora area.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa