Rhynchosia minima

Rhynchosia minima (L.) DC

Common Names: No known common name

Family: Fabaceae

Habit: Rhynchosia minima grows as a climbing or trailing vine to 1.5 m in length. The trifoliate leaves are arranged alternately with linear stipules.  The leaflets are to 4 cm in length, rhomboid ovate/orbicular, with an obtuse apex. The terminal leaflet is larger and has a petiolule while the side leaflets are subsessile. Both leaves and stem are both pubescent and glandular.

The complete, perfect, zygomorphic flowers are arranged in many flowered racemes.  The calyx has 5 fused green petals.  The corolla has 5 yellow petals, the upper enlarged to form a red striated banner and the lower 2 fused to form the keel.  There are 10 diadelphous stamens.  The ovary is superior and has a single locule.  The fruit is a brown, pubescent legume at maturity.

Habitat: Rhynchosia minima grows in and along the edges of Dry Broadleaf Evergreen Formation – Shrublands (scrublands) and Human Altered environments (yards, old fields, roadsides).

Distribution: Rhynchosia minima occurs throughout the Lucayan Archipelago and tropical and subtropical regions globally.

Medicinal/Cultural/Economic usage: Rhynchosia minima is not known to be used medicinally in the Lucayan Archipelago.