bio.wikisort.org - Plant

Aeschynomene americana is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae (legume) known by many common names, including shyleaf,[1] forage aeschynomene,[2] American joint vetch (United States and Australia), thornless mimosa (Sri Lanka), bastard sensitive plant (Jamaica), pega pega, pega ropa, antejuela, ronte, cujicillo, and dormilonga (Latin America).[3] It is native to Central America, parts of South America, the West Indies, and Florida.[3] It is now found in the US, in Australia and in South-East Asia.[4]

Aeschynomene americana
Conservation status
Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Faboideae
Genus:	Aeschynomene
Species:	A. americana
Binomial name
Aeschynomene americana L.

This plant is an annual or perennial herb growing up to 2 meters tall. The leaves are up to 7 centimeters long and have several pairs of linear to oblong leaflets. The sensitive leaves fold up when touched. The inflorescence is a raceme of flowers each up to a centimeter long. The flowers range in color from white to pinkish, orange, or purplish. The fruit is a curved legume pod up to 4 centimeters long made up of several jointed units, each unit containing a seed.[3]

This species is widely used as a green manure or pasture plant throughout the tropical world.[5] It is grazed by livestock and may be cut for hay.[6] Cattle readily eat the plant and spread the seeds on their coats and in manure. Available cultivars include 'Glenn'.[3]

In the wild it is generally a wetland plant, easily taking hold in wet places such as drainage ditches.[3] It is grazed by deers, and the seeds are eaten by wild birds.[4]

References

External links

• Dressler, S.; Schmidt, M. & Zizka, G. (2014). "Aeschynomene americana". African plants – a Photo Guide. Frankfurt/Main: Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg.

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