Stylosanthes biflora

sidebeak pencil-flower, endbeak pencilflower, sidebeak pencilflower, pencil flower
Family

Fabaceae

Leaf Arrangement

alternate

Leaf Attachment

petiolate

Leaf Type

compound, trifoliolate

Growth Form

forb, vine

Flower Color

yellow

Flower Month

May - September

Height (meters)

0.1 - 1.0

Milky Sap

No

Armed/Unarmed

Unarmed

Origin

native

Lifespan

perennial

Growing Season

Warm season


Prairie Coefficient of Conservatism

8

Field Characters

When sterile Stylosanthes biflora may be confused with Lespedeza sp. and Desmodium sp. Stylosanthes can be identified by the veins on the underside of its leaflets which are lighter in color than the blade, while those of Lespedeza and Desmodium are the same color as the blade.

Animal Use

Desirable to cattle as forage. The seeds are eaten by quail and turkey (Grelen and Hughes 1984).

Natural History

Found frequently in north and central Louisiana and east and southeast Texas. It ranges over most of eastern United States.

Habitat

Dry or rocky woods or barrens, acid soils, sandy open woodlands, prairies, sand dunes.