Desmodium laxiflorum DC.

Common Name : Loose flowered desmodium
Family : Fabaceae

HABIT

AN ERECT HERB OR UNDERSHRUB, UP TO 1.2 M TALL.

STEMS

WITH QUADRANGULAR, APPRESSED-PUBESCENT BRANCHES.

LEAVES

ALTERNATE, TRIFOLIATE; LEAFLETS OVATE-ELLIPTIC, APEX ACUTE TO ACUMINATE, SILKY- PUBESCENT BENEATH, MEMBRANOUS, UP TO 14 CM LONG AND 8 CM WIDE.

FLOWERS

FLOWERS 2-5 PER BRACT, BORNE ON 25-40 CM LONG RACEMES; STANDARD WHITE, OTHER PETALS BLUE, BOTH COVERED WITH YELLOWISH-WHITE HAIRS.

FRUITS

PODS LINEAR WITH STRAIGHT SUTURES, 2.5-3.8 CM LONG AND LESS THAN HALF AS WIDE, JOINTS 6-10, WITH HOOKED HAIRS.