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Desmodium elegans - A.DC.

Common Name
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry grassy slopes and in glades in deodar forests to 2700 metres[146]. Forest margins, forests, thickets, mountain slopes, rocky places, roadsides and ditches at elevations of 1000 - 4000 metres[266].
Range E. Asia - Himalayas to W. China.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Desmodium elegans


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Desmodium_cinerascens_145-8805.jpg
Desmodium elegans

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Desmodium elegans is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1.5 m (5ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from August to October, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

D. tiliifolium.(D.Don.)G.Don. Hedysarum tiliifolium.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Carminative  Cholera  Diuretic  Tonic

The roots are carminative, diuretic and tonic[240, 272]. They are used in the treatment of bilious complaints[240, 243].The juice of the root, sometimes combined with the bark juice of Bauhinia malabarica, is used in the treatment of cholera[272]. The juice of the bark is used in the treatment of peptic ulcers[272].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fibre  Fuel

A fibre from the bark is used for ropes and paper making[146, 158]. The wood is a good fuel[146, 158].

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most soils so long as they are well-drained[182, 200]. Requires a sunny sheltered position[175, 182]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[184]. Requires long hot summers to be at its best, the flowers are produced on the current years growth and do not open in cold wet seasons[11]. Plants send up new shoots 1 - 1.5m long annually from a woody base[11]. If the plant is not cut back to the ground by winter cold then it is best to prune it hard in late winter in order to encourage better flowering[182]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse. Scarify and pre-soak stored seed for 5 hours in warm water then sow March in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates within 1 - 4 months at 25°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer and consider giving them some protection from frost in their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame. Division as the plant comes into growth in the spring. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring. Root cuttings in winter.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Afghanistan, China TROPICAL ASIA: Bhutan, India (northwest), Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Desmodium canadenseShowy tick-trefoilPerennial0.9 3-6 FLMHSNDM003
Desmodium caudatum Shrub1.5 -  LMHNM011
Desmodium cinereumRensoni. TickcloverPerennial2.0 9-11 FLMHNMWe004
Desmodium glutinosumPointed-leaved TicktrefoilPerennial0.9 3-9 FLMSNM003
Desmodium intortumPega-pega. BeggarlicePerennial1.5 10-12 FLMHFSNMWe003
Desmodium paniculatumPanicled tick trefoilPerennial1.0 4-10 FLMHSNDM003
Desmodium styracifoliumGuang Jing Qian Cao, Coin-leaf desmodiumPerennial0.8 0-0  LMHNM02 
Desmodium triflorumThree-flower beggarweed, Three-flower tick-trefoilAnnual/Perennial0.2 10-12 FLMHFSNM022
Desmodium uncinatumSilverleaf desmodium. Spanish tick-cloverPerennial2.0 10-12 FLMHSNDMWe003

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

A.DC.

Botanical References

11200266

Links / References

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Subject : Desmodium elegans  
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