Abaxial foliar vestiture of Desmodium Desv. (Fabaceae) in North Carolina and vegetative recognition of the species

Desmodium Desv. (Fabaceae) is perhaps the most difficult genus among Carolina legumes. Diagnostic recognition of the species has historically been based on mature loment and flower characters. To facilitate the vegetative identification and teaching of the twenty-two Desmodium species of North Carolina, an illustrated survey of abaxial foliar vestiture and a diagnostic key are provided.