''Zornia glochidiata'' is a leguminous herb of the

Fabaceae Fabaceae () or Leguminosae,International Code of Nomen ...

family, it is widely distributed in the

Sahel The Sahel region (; ), or Sahelian acacia savanna, is a Biogeography, biogeographical region in Africa. It is the Ecotone, transition zone between the more humid Sudanian savannas to its south and the drier Sahara to the north. The Sahel has a ...

regions of West Africa. It is reputed to be an important forage plant in the region.

Morphology

It is an

annual herb An annual plant is a plant that completes its biological life cycle, life cycle, from germination to the production of seeds, within one growing season, and then dies. Globally, 6% of all plant species and 15% of herbaceous plants (excluding tr ...

, with erect or decumbent stems and grows up to tall. Compound and broad leaves, two foliate; leaflets, ovate - lanceolate, acute at apex and up to 45 x 15 mm, glabrescent or pubescent beneath. The stipules are lanceolate in shape and up to 15 mm in length.

Distribution

''Zornia glochidiata'' is native to many countries in East, West and Southern Africa. It is known locally as dengeere or dengo among the Peul.

Uses

This plant is an important fodder for horses and other animals in the arid and semi arid grasslands of the Sahel but can cause bloating in cattle.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q15529940 Flora of West Tropical Africa glochidiata