Desmanthus velutinus

Desmanthus velutinus is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name velvet bundleflower. It is native to New Mexico and Texas in the United States and Coahuila in Mexico.[1] It may also occur in Oklahoma.[2]

Desmanthus velutinus

Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Rosids
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Desmanthus
Species:
D. velutinus
Binomial name
Desmanthus velutinus
Scheele

This species is a perennial herb with spreading stems up to 2 feet long. The blue-green leaves are 3 to 4 inches long and are made up of several pairs of leaflets. The flower is white. The fruit is a straight pod up to 3 inches long.[2]

This plant grows on calcareous soils, such as limestone. It does not grow in wet areas.[2]

This species is used as forage for livestock such as sheep and goats.[2][3] Wildlife such as deer graze it, and birds such as quail eat the seeds. This species can be planted to reduce erosion. It is often an ingredient in seed mixes which are used for range improvement.[2]

References
  1. "Desmanthus velutinus". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  2. Desmanthus velutinus. USDA NRCS Plant Fact Sheet.
  3. Haferkamp, M. R., et al. (1984). Impact of presowing seed treatments, temperature and seed coats of germination of velvet bundleflower. Journal of Range Management 37(2) 185-88.
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