Grona triflora

(L.) H.Ohashi & K.Ohashi (2018)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Fabales Family: Fabaceae Genus: Grona

tick clover, tick trefoil

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Prostrate, many-branched, slender herbs.

Stems: Stems 0.2–5 dm long.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves compound (trifoliolate). Alternate. Leaflets broadly obovate or obcordate, terminal one 0.3–1.2 cm long, 0.3–1.1 cm wide. Apex emarginate. Upper surfaces glabrous; lower surfaces appressed white pubescent at least along midrib. Leaflet margins entire. Petioles (0.2–)0.4–0.6(–0.7) cm long. Stipules dry and membranous, distinct. Leaflets stipellate.

Flowers: Flowers inflorescences leaf opposed, fasciculate or rarely reduced racemose, 1–2(–5)–flowered. Flowers papilionaceous; pedicels 3–8 mm long, pubescent, borne at base of calyx. Calyx campanulate. Corolla pink to purplish, 3–4 mm long, exceeding the calyx, wings oblong, keel petals. Stamens 10. Ovary superior.

Fruit: Pods usually slightly curved upward; (1–)3–5(–7)–jointed; 0.6–1.7 cm long; 0.2–0.3 cm wide; pubescent with minute hooked hairs; articles nearly quadrate; 2–2.5 mm long. Seeds compressed.

Ploidy: 2n = 18; 22

Habitat: Common in dry; disturbed sites near the coast and on dry slopes and lava flows; also in lawns; pastures; waste places; and along roadsides.

Elevation Range: 2–440 m.

Historical Distribution

Images

Uses and Culture

USES

  • Yes

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Ni'ihau(Incl. Lehua) Extirpated
Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Kaho'olawe Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Notes

  • 2-440 m
  • Description digitized by Rafael Domingo
  • Description digitized from the Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii
  • Oahu 1864-1865
  • its a creeping plant, common name Grona tiflora

Bibliography

Name Published In: J. Jap. Bot. 93: 117 (2018)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:670 (K, O, Mo, L, M, Ka, H [as Desmodium triflorum]); Ohashi & Ohashi 2018:117 (COMBNOV, Syn. D. triflorum = G. triflora); Forbes 1913b:22/Wichman & St. John 1990 (Ni?†, 1912, [spm. lost])

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Grona triflora Aiea in Pineapple field Preserved_Specimen Christophersen, E. Oahu BISH 1924-12-07
2 Grona triflora SE part of island, west of Halona Point Prosopis pallida scrub. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. 199 Kahoolawe BISH 1980-04-25
3 Grona triflora Beck's Cove, gulch behind cove, E side of island Tiny prostrate herbaceous plant growing in crack between large boulders on slope of gulch. Few Propopis pallida trees nearby. Preserved_Specimen Flowers purplish-pink in color Cuddihy, L.W. 394 Kahoolawe BISH 1980-09-23
4 Grona triflora Mokulua, S islet, Kailua steep slope Preserved_Specimen prostrate, forming mats, flowers purple Fosberg, F.R. 12886 Oahu BISH 1936-02-16
5 Grona triflora ahupuaa of Halepuaa in the Puna District Growing on the side of the old railroad. Preserved_Specimen ESP Field Crew Hawaii BISH 1979-08-15
6 Grona triflora Mokolii Islet, Kualoa Dry Slope Preserved_Specimen Prostrate, mat forming flowers purple Fosberg, F.R. 13587 Oahu BISH 1937-01-31
7 Grona triflora Mokulua, north islet, Kailua bare ridge, saddle Preserved_Specimen Prostrate, mat forming flowers purple Fosberg, F.R. 12941 Oahu BISH 1936-02-16
8 Grona triflora Puna District Growing in cracks in pahoehoe lava back of beach Preserved_Specimen Prostrate herb with pinkish flowers. Herbst, D.R. 5527 Hawaii BISH 1975-10-22
9 Grona triflora ahupuaa in the Puna District The plant was growing under a Pandanus tree in a moderately shaded area. The ground is rocky with little soil. Common along the side of the road and can also be found in open areas. Preserved_Specimen Yoshida, L. 79.021 Hawaii BISH 1979-02-22
10 Grona triflora Kalaupapa; airport, edge of wetland, roadside Preserved_Specimen prostrate slender herb Wysong, M.L. 607 Molokai BISH 2005-02-08
11 Grona triflora Hana Road Preserved_Specimen Vegetation: Schinus, assorted grasses Caraway, V. 158 Maui BISH 1998-04-10
12 Grona triflora Maunaloa Preserved_Specimen Pekelo Jr., N. 15 Molokai BISH 1973-01-20
13 Grona triflora Bahai Center, Makawao Preserved_Specimen Threee flowered begger weed. Flowers purple. Hobdy, R.W. 474 Maui BISH 1979-04-04
14 Grona triflora Area between Lua Makika and Puu Moaula Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 8038 Kahoolawe BISH 1976-11-22
15 Grona triflora USDA Plant Materials Center; grass and legume groundcover trial, initial testing field 8A; row 2; plot 12; HA-4706; sprigs collected at Ponape Agric. Station Preserved_Specimen Soft, thin, mounding groundcover. Stem pink to tan, thin & wiry; lvs dull forest green. No disease or insect problems noted. Evans, M. 82 Molokai BISH 1990-07-11
16 Grona triflora Pacific Heights Preserved_Specimen Bryan, W.A. 159 Oahu BISH 1903-12-20
17 Grona triflora Honolulu District: Koko Head, between Nonoula and Ihiihilauakea Craters and on SE slope of Kuamookane Ridge Preserved_Specimen Bruegmann, M.M. 126 Oahu BISH 1984-01-17
18 Grona triflora East Maui, Hana District, Coastal Pasture lands SE of Hamoa to Waioka Preserved_Specimen Prostrate, mat-forming herb. At least some leaflets with reddish margins. Corolla: standard white without, within lilac with two darker areas near base; wings dark purple with white base; keel same. Flynn, T.W. Maui BISH
19 Grona triflora Kapoho, 1/4 mile of Kapoho Crater, roadside weed Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 22301 Hawaii BISH 1946-12-22
20 Grona triflora Lanai Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 296 Lanai BISH
21 Grona triflora Wheeler Airfield, Wahiawa, old runway S of field Preserved_Specimen prostrate; flowers blusih; pods 5-6 jointed Nagata, K.M. 1382 Oahu BISH 1976-10-27
22 Grona triflora Nuuanu Valley Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1059 Oahu BISH 1909-01-20
23 Grona triflora Oahu. Preserved_Specimen Rémy, J. 678 Oahu BISH 1851-01-01
24 Grona triflora Kohala, Puu Hue Ranch, lawn Preserved_Specimen Ewart III, G.R. 218 Hawaii BISH 1932-05-16
25 Grona triflora Molokai Preserved_Specimen Hitchcock, A.S. 15061 Molokai BISH 1916-10-08
26 Grona triflora Beach. Hawaii island, Kupaahu (Queen's Bath) 19.3N 155.0W Preserved_Specimen Krajina, V.J. 660627038 Hawaii BISH 1966-06-27
27 Grona triflora Pohakuloa, Honoulimaloo Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 12748 Molokai BISH 1932-12-27
28 Grona triflora Kau District. Along Puna Coast trail at ca. 30 m. On opening between lava; growing on spoil in somewhat shady coditions Preserved_Specimen Herat, T. 877 Hawaii BISH 1974-07-01
29 Grona triflora Laniloa Point Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1938-07-31
30 Grona triflora Mokulua islets, off Lanikai Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1936-06-14
31 Grona triflora Honolulu, Bishop Museum Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. Oahu BISH 1931-10-20
32 Grona triflora Mokolii Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1938-09-24
33 Grona triflora ridge E. of Nuuanu Valley- from field notes Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. 115 Oahu BISH 1864-01-01
34 Grona triflora Kawainui Marsh, Na Pohaku o Hauwahine Restoration site off of Kapaa Quarry Road Growing on trail in between restored areas in semi-wet compacted soil, full sun. Preserved_Specimen Prostrate herbaceous weedy plant, tiny purple pea-like flowers and leaves. Growing in a tangled, mounded mass, rooting at nodes. Crago, L.M. 2005022 Oahu BISH 2005-01-21
35 Grona triflora East Maui, 16.6 mi E of 'Ulupalakua Ranch on Piilani Hwy. (hwy.31), 3.7 mi E of Manawainui rocky dry stream bed dominated by Prosopis pallida, Leucaena leucocephala Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 4741 Maui BISH 1983-01-14
36 Grona triflora Mokolii A few small patches. Preserved_Specimen Starr, F. 5041967 Oahu BISH 2005-04-19
37 Grona triflora Mount Kaala, Waianae Mts., Oahu, Hawaii Growing on a pull-off area, left side of the road, with Stylosanthes scabra. Preserved_Specimen Prostrate weed, round, simple leaves, purple pea-like flowers. Crago, L.M. 2005236 Oahu BISH 2005-11-22
38 Grona triflora Mapulehu Valley, near mouth, trail-side, dry ridge dry Preserved_Specimen Prostrate Fosberg, F.R. 13534 Molokai BISH 1936-12-31
39 Grona triflora Located down Chain of Craters Road about 23.3 miles toward Klapna from intersection with Crater Rim Road; 1.6 miles before Kamoamoa picnic area, or 8 miles before Queens Bath. Plant was on NW side of road near a road pulloff. (plot 29) Heteropogon grassland community Preserved_Specimen Newell, C.L. 973 Hawaii BISH 1967-06-25
40 Grona triflora Located down Chain of Carters Road about 23.3 miles toward Kalapana from intersection with crater Rim Road; 1.6 miles before Kamoamoa pinic area, or 8 miles before Queens Bath. Plant was on ocean side (SE) of road across from a road pulloff. (plot30) Salt spray community. Preserved_Specimen Newell, C.L. 95 Hawaii BISH 1966-07-20
41 Grona triflora Waimea Valley, Koolau Mts by stream Preserved_Specimen Herb Hume, E.P. Oahu BISH 1931-12-06
42 Grona triflora Located down Chain of Craters Road about 28.5 miles toward Kalapana from intersection with crater Rim Road; or 0.2 Miles before Queens Bath. Plant was about .25 miles up the Royal Estates Road, not far from HVNP boundry. (plot 27) Mixed lowland scrub community. Preserved_Specimen Newell, C.L. 113 Hawaii BISH 1966-07-20
43 Grona triflora Drive to end of Hilina Pali Road and walk about 1.7 miles down Hilina Pali switchbackTrail to base of Pali where land levels out onto a plateau-like area. Plant was about 100 meters from base of Pali. (plot47) Eragrostis tenella grassland community. Preserved_Specimen Newell, C.L. 437 Hawaii BISH 1966-08-18
44 Grona triflora Moaula, Kahoolawe, on soil between boulders Growing on soil between boulders. Exposed. Preserved_Specimen Char, W.P. 78.031 Kahoolawe BISH 1978-11-22
45 Grona triflora Kaalualu Bay near South Point Found in soil pockets on lava and in waste areas. Preserved_Specimen Prostrate herb with tiny purple flowers. Whistler, W.A. 72 Hawaii BISH 1972-04-06
46 Grona triflora Wailua Game Reserve plots stripmined for bauxite in 1958-60; now residual pasture Preserved_Specimen repent or prostrate trailing herb; flowers pinkish Howard, R.A. 20270 Kauai BISH 1985-10-20
47 Grona triflora Drive to the end of Hilina Pali Road and walk about 0.7 miles down Hilina Pali Switchback Trail. (plot46b) Plant was in a grassland at left of trail just before first switchback. Preserved_Specimen Drawf shrub and grass community in fine ash pockets. Herb about 6 inches tall, creeping. Newell, C.L. 763 Hawaii BISH 1966-09-03
48 Grona triflora Hawaii National Park, between Hilina Pali and Kanoe In shallow ash soil. Preserved_Specimen Prostate, matted plant; flowers blue. Fagerlund, G.O. 325 Hawaii BISH 1943-02-15