Details - DCNR Research Database

Report Details

Report Title:

Desmodium Identification and Distribution

Report Summary:

In Pennsylvania, the genus Desmodium contains taxa that are rare and found in habitats experiencing development, disturbance, deer browsing, and invasive species infestation. Accurate evaluation of the conservation status of these taxa is needed. However, many of these taxa seem ecologically indistinct and are difficult to identify, which has led to taxonomic disagreement and distributional uncertainty. We conducted a review of taxonomic literature, built expertise through training and collaboration, conducted an extensive review of herbarium material, and collected supporting field survey data to better understand the status of D. glabellum, D. perplexum, D. nuttallii, D. viridiflorum, D. obtusum, and D. laevigatum. We found that Desmodium glabellum is far more common than previously thought, being distributed nearly throughout the state with many known extant locations. Desmodium perplexum is much less common and has an affinity for more shaded habitats than D. glabellum. Its extant range appearing to be much reduced from its historic range, signaling potential conservation concern for this species. Desmodium nuttallii and D. viridiflorum have been very difficult to discern from each other in Pennsylvania. We found that most records from the state are for D. nuttallii, though we found a single extant occurrence for D. viridiflorum from Delaware County. Desmodium obtusum has possibly vanished from the state; the identity of many historic occurrences has been confirmed. Desmodium laevigatum is extant at just one or two remaining locations in the state.

Report Type:

WRCP

ID:

WRCP-19599

Report Link:

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Start Year:

1999

End Year:

2022

Final Report Date:

07/28/2022

Funding:

Funding Source Details
Funding Source:	WRCP
Grant Number:	WRCP-19599
Amount:	$29,282.00

Location Information

Institution:

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Investigator(s):

Investigator Details
Name:	Steve Grund
Street Address 1:
Street Address 2:
City/State/Zip:
Phone:
Email

Investigator Details
Name:	Rachel Goad Botanist
Street Address 1:	WPC
Street Address 2:
City/State/Zip:
Phone:
Email	rgoad@paconserve.org

Investigator Details
Name:	Claire Ciafré
Street Address 1:
Street Address 2:
City/State/Zip:
Phone:
Email	cCiafré@paconserve.org

Public Citation(s):

Goad, R., Grund, S. P., and Ciafré, C. 2022. Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. Desmodium Identification and Distribution. WRCP-19599