Herbs, annual or perennial, not darkening on drying. Stems erect, to 2.5 m, ± glabrous or glandular-hirsute, hairs bulbous-based. Leaves 1–7 cm; stipules peltate, (5–)10–25 × 1–4 mm, apex attenuate; leaflets 20–60, blades apparently 2–4-veined, asymmetric, subfalcate, linear-oblong, 4–15 × 1–2 mm, margins ciliate-denticulate, apex acuminate, surfaces glabrous. Inflorescences 1–7-flowered, racemes, axis hispidulous. Flowers: calyx 3–6 mm, bilabiate, abaxial lip 3-parted, adaxial lip 2-parted, glabrous or hispidulous; corolla yellowish to orange or tan, usually with red or purplish lines, 5–10 mm, banner glabrous; gynophore 1–3 mm, continuous with proximal segment, glabrate. Loments: abaxial margin crenate, adaxial margin straight or curved, sutures between segments prominent, margins not sepa­rating from valves; segments (3–)6–8(–9), semi­globose, 2.5–5 × 3–6 mm, reticulate venation conspic­uous, especially near margins, center of each usually muricate or verrucose, faces usually glabrous or puberu­lent, rarely hispidulous, hairs bulbous-based, glandular. Seeds dark brown, 2–3 × 1.5–2 mm. 2n = 20.

Phenology: Flowering Aug–Nov.
Habitat: Disturbed areas, edges of fields, wet roadsides.
Elevation: 0–50 m.

Distribution

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Fla., Ga., La., Md., Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America, introduced in Asia, Africa.

Discussion

Variety americana is used for forage in Florida with various grasses in permanent pastures (A. E. Kretschmer and R. C. Bullock 1980).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.