Amphicarpa bracteata (L.) Fern. - Hog Peanut
Family - Fabaceae
Stems:
Leaves:
N/A
Inflorescence:
N/A
Flowers:
Calyx.
White flowers.
Flowering - July - September.
Habitat - Dry to moist woods, thickets.
Origin - Native to North America.
Other information - This vining species can be found scattered throughout Alabama. The plant can be identified by its "A"-shaped leaflets, vining habit, and dense flower clusters. There are two varieties for the plant. Variety bracteata has stems with sparse to moderate appressed hairs. Variety comosa has stems with dense spreading to retrorse hairs. As seen above, the flowers can be blue-purple or white.
The roots of this species form nodules which can be eaten, hence the common name of the plant.
Amphicarpa comes from the Latin "amph(i)" meaning "around both sides" or "double" and "carp(a)" meaning "a fruit."
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken in Brown Summit, NC., 9-8-02.