Identification of Missouri species of the tribe Desmodieae (Fabaceae) using vegetative characters

The legume tribe Desmodieae in Missouri consists of four genera: Desmodium (17 species and one named hybrid), Hylodesmum (3 species), Kummerowia (2 species), and Lespedeza (11 species). The genera and species are distinguished mainly by reproductive features of the mature fruit which are not present during most of the growing season. The two largest genera, Desmodium and Lespedeza, are considered especially “difficult” groups because species can be difficult to distinguish, even with complete specimens. This paper provides a key to the Missouri species of this tribe based largely on vegetative traits present throughout most of the growing season.