| Tephrosia hispidula | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Tephrosia |
| Species: | T. hispidula |
| Binomial name | |
| Tephrosia hispidula (Michx.) Pers | |
Tephrosia hispidula, also known as sprawling hoarypea, is a species of perennial legume native to North America. [1]
The stems of T. hispidula range from decumbent to erect in stature, reaching a length of up to 50 cm (20 in). [2] The leaves are narrowly elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate in shape, with bicolored blades ranging in length from 9 to 20 cm (3.5 to 7.9 in). [3] They are glabrous to densely pubescent on the top and sparsely to densely pubescent on the underside. [2]
Inflorescence occurs opposite the leaves, ranging from 5 to 15 cm (2.0 to 5.9 in) in length, with a flattened peduncle or terete and narrowly lanceolate to linear bracts. [2] The corolla starts as white to yellow in coloration, transitioning over time to reddish. [3]
When legumes are produced they are 3 to 4.2 cm (1.2 to 1.7 in) in length and sparsely to moderately pubescent, with trichomes at least 0.6 mm (0.024 in) in length. [2]
Tephrosia hispidula is endemic to the southeastern region of the United States, its range stretching from Virginia south to Florida and westward to Louisiana. [1] It may be found in environments such as pine savannas, sandhills, hardwood swamps, wiregrass woodlands, and alongside rivers. [4] [5]