Legumes, Milkworts, and Allies of Zihuatanejo

ORDER FABALES

-Legumes (Family Fabaceae)

-Subfamily Faboideae

-Tribe Dalbergieae

-Jointvetches (Genus Aeschynomene)

-Shyleaf (Aeschynomene americana)

Aeschynomene americana is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas and parts of the Caribbean. It has been intentionally introduced in agroforestry systems in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, being used for forage, green manure, and land reclamation in wetlands. It can be found naturalized along roadsides, in wet places such as drainage ditches, in disturbed sites and secondary forests. It is also a weed of pastures and agricultural lands.

Description

• Aeschynomene americana, commonly known as American jointvetch, is an annual or short-lived perennial herb in the legume family (Fabaceae). It has slender, branching stems and pinnately compound leaves made up of numerous small, paired leaflets. Its small flowers are typically yellow, often marked with reddish or orange veins. The plant produces segmented, jointed seed pods that break into smaller sections as they mature. Like many legumes, it can form root nodules with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Range

• Aeschynomene americana is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, including Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and parts of South America. It is native to Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and the surrounding area.

Habitat

• This plant grows in open, sunny environments, including grasslands, roadsides, disturbed ground, seasonal wetlands, and the edges of streams and ponds. It tolerates moist soils and seasonal flooding but can also grow in disturbed areas that dry out between rainy periods.