leguminosa:. 
2G5 
lanceolate, attenuated, ciliated, niarescent : stipels minute 
setaceous. Racemes terminal, very short, of a number of small 
crowded purple flowers. Bracteas ovato-lanceolate, attenuated 
at the apex, ciliated, with a pair of pedicels in the axilla of each. 
Pedicels \ an inch in length, filiform, puberulous with minute 
uncinate hairs. Calyx externally hirsute, 2- lipped : upper lip 
bifid, with the divisions approximating; lower lip 3-partite, 
with the divisions laneeolato-subulate. Petals shorter than the 
calyx; standard obovate, rounded; wings and keel clawed. 
Stamens 9 and 1 ; anthers minute, globular, white. Ovary 
linear, tereti-compressed, green, pubescent; style longer than 
the stamens ; stigma sub-capitate, excavated. Legume incurved 
at the base, twisted at the joints, minutely puberulous ; joints 
semi-orbiculate. Seeds subrotund, compressed. 
The calyx, as noticed above, is distinctly 2-lipped, with the 
upper lip bifid : we may therefore doubt the propriety of re- 
moving this species from the genus Desmodicm. 
Desmodium. 
Calyx usually bibracteolated at the base, obscurely 
bilabiate, as far as the middle ; upper lip bifid ; un- 
der 3-partite. Standard roundish ; keel obtuse, not 
truncated ; wings longer than the keel. Stamens 
diadelphous (9 and 1) with the filaments persistent. 
Legume of many joints, separating in maturity, com- 
pressed, one seeded, membranaceous or coriaceous, 
not at all or scarcely dehiscent. — De Cartel. 
Herbs or shrubs, for the most part natives of tropical coun- 
tries. Leaves either 3-foliate, or 1 -jugate with an odd leaflet, 
or simple ; stipels 2 at the base of the outer, and 1 at that of 
each of the lateral leaflets. Racemes terminal, generally lax. 
Pedicels 1 or more frequently 3, from the axils of the bracteas, 
filiform, one-flowered. Flowers purple, azure, or white. 
Several of the exotic species have been introduced, and are 
common in our gardens. The D. gyrans, the moving plant, 
is a common weed in certain situations. — Name, from dsego; a 
chain, and oho j a mode of doing any thing ; the joints of the 
legumes being, as it were, chained together. 
1. Desmodium incanum. Hoary Desmodium. 
Stem suffrutescent suberect terete puberulous, leaf- 
lets ovato-oblong or elliptic hispidulous or subglabrous 
above incano-pubescent beneath, stipules lanceolate 
ciliated, racemes terminal or opposite to a leaf, pedi- 
