Taxon:  Stylosanthes humilis Kunth



Summary
Genus:
Stylosanthes
Family:
Fabaceae (alt. Leguminosae)
Subfamily:
Faboideae
Tribe:
Dalbergieae
Nomen number:
35881
Place of publication:
F. W. H. A. von Humboldt et al., Nov. gen. sp. 6:395[folio]; 6:506[quarto], t. 594.  1824
Verified:
08/14/1987 ARS Systematic Botanists.
Accessions:
24 (13  active, 13  available) in National Plant Germplasm System.  (Map it)
Other conspecific taxa
Autonyms (not in current use), synonyms and invalid designations
Heterotypic Synonym(s)
Stylosanthes figueroae Mohlenbr.

Images (1 total. Click on image for more.)
Seed

Conservation Status

Reference(s)
  1. Balick, M. J. et al. 2000. Checklist of the vascular plants of Belize, with common names and uses. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 85
  2. Calles, T. & R. Schultze-Kraft. 2010. Stylosanthes (Leguminosae, Dalbergieae) of Venezuela. Willdenowia 40:315-317.
  3. Correll, D. S. & H. B. Correll. 1982. Flora of the Bahama archipelago. Note: mentions
  4. Costa, L. C. da et al. 2008. Estudo taxonômico de Stylosanthes (Leguminosae–Papilionoideae–Dalbergieae) em Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Rodriguésia 59:563-564.
  5. Duke, J. A. 1981. Handbook of legumes of world economic importance
  6. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). 2010. Ecocrop (on-line resource).
  7. Hnatiuk, R. J. 1990. Census of Australian vascular plants. Australian Flora and Fauna Series No. 11.
  8. Integrated Botanical Information System (IBIS). Australian plant common name database (on-line resource).
  9. Isely, D. 1998. Native and naturalized Leguminosae (Fabaceae) of the United States (exclusive of Alaska and Hawaii)
  10. Lewis, G. P. & P. E. Owen. 1989. Legumes of the Ilha de Maraca
  11. Lewis, G. P. 1987. Legumes of Bahia
  12. Lock, J. M. & C. S. Ford. 2004. Legumes of Malesia: a checklist
  13. McVaugh, R. 1983-. Flora Novo-Galiciana.
  14. Mohlenbrock, R. H. 1962. Tribe Hedysareae, Subtribe Stylosanthinae (Leguminosae) of Central America and Mexico. SouthW. Naturalist 7:35.
  15. Mohlenbrock, R. H. 1963. Further considerations in Stylosanthes (Leguminosae). Rhodora 65:258.
  16. National Academy of Sciences. 1979. Tropical legumes: resources for the future
  17. Rehm, S. 1994. Multilingual dictionary of agronomic plants
  18. Smith, A. C. 1979-1991. Flora vitiensis nova.
  19. Sousa Costa, N. M. & M. B. Ferreira. 1984. Some Brazilian species of Stylosanthes. In: Stace, H. M. & L. A. Edye, eds., The biology and agronomy of Stylosanthes 34.
  20. Standley, P. C. & J. A. Steyermark. 1946-1976. Flora of Guatemala.
  21. Stevens, W. D. et al., eds. 2001. Flora de Nicaragua. Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 85(1-3).
  22. Steyermark, J. A. et al., eds. 1995-. Flora of the Venezuelan Guayana. Note: Missouri Botanical Garden & Timber Press
  23. 't Mannetje, L. & R. M. Jones, eds. 1992. Forages. In: Faridah Hanum, I. & L. J. G. van der Maesen, eds., Plant Resources of South-East Asia (PROSEA) 4:216.
  24. 't Mannetje, L. 1984. Considerations on the taxonomy of the genus Stylosanthes. In: Stace, H. M. & L. A. Edye, eds., The biology and agronomy of Stylosanthes 7. Note: mentions
  25. Verdcourt, B. 1979. A manual of New Guinea legumes. Note: introduced
  26. Williams, R. J. et al. 1984. Natural distribution of Stylosanthes. In: Stace, H. M. & L. A. Edye, eds., The biology and agronomy of Stylosanthes 85.
  27. Woodson, R. E. & R. W. Schery, eds. 1943-1980. Flora of Panama.
Common names
LanguageNameAlternate namenoteseqCitation
EnglishTownsville stylo  1Wiersema, J. H. & B. León. 1999. World economic plants: a standard reference CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.
EnglishTownsville-lucerne  1Rehm, S. 1994. Multilingual dictionary of agronomic plants
Englishwild lucerne  1Integrated Botanical Information System (IBIS). Australian plant common name database (on-line resource).
Frenchluzerne de Townsville  2Rehm, S. 1994. Multilingual dictionary of agronomic plants
GermanTownsvilleluzerne  2Rehm, S. 1994. Multilingual dictionary of agronomic plants
Portuguese (Brazil)alfafinha-do-nordeste  2Rehm, S. 1994. Multilingual dictionary of agronomic plants
Portuguese (Brazil)erva-de-orelha  2Rehm, S. 1994. Multilingual dictionary of agronomic plants
Spanishalfalfa estilosante  2Rehm, S. 1994. Multilingual dictionary of agronomic plants
Distribution
order_codeStatusContinentSubcontinentCountryStateNoteReference
1NativeNorthern AmericaSouthern MexicoMexicoChiapas McVaugh, R. 1983-. Flora Novo-Galiciana.
1NativeNorthern AmericaSouthern MexicoMexicoColima McVaugh, R. 1983-. Flora Novo-Galiciana.
1NativeNorthern AmericaSouthern MexicoMexicoGuerrero McVaugh, R. 1983-. Flora Novo-Galiciana.
1NativeNorthern AmericaSouthern MexicoMexicoJalisco McVaugh, R. 1983-. Flora Novo-Galiciana.
1NativeNorthern AmericaSouthern MexicoMexicoMéxico McVaugh, R. 1983-. Flora Novo-Galiciana.
1NativeNorthern AmericaSouthern MexicoMexicoMichoacán de Ocampo McVaugh, R. 1983-. Flora Novo-Galiciana.
1NativeNorthern AmericaSouthern MexicoMexicoOaxaca McVaugh, R. 1983-. Flora Novo-Galiciana.
1NativeNorthern AmericaSouthern MexicoMexicoVeracruz de Ignacio de la Llave McVaugh, R. 1983-. Flora Novo-Galiciana.
1NativeNorthern AmericaSouthwestern U.S.A.United StatesArizonaCochise Co.Isely, D. 1998. Native and naturalized Leguminosae (Fabaceae) of the United States (exclusive of Alaska and Hawaii)
1NativeSouthern AmericaBrazilBrazilAmazonas Costa, L. C. da et al. 2008. Estudo taxonômico de Stylosanthes (Leguminosae–Papilionoideae–Dalbergieae) em Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Rodriguésia 59:563-564.
1NativeSouthern AmericaBrazilBrazilBahia Costa, L. C. da et al. 2008. Estudo taxonômico de Stylosanthes (Leguminosae–Papilionoideae–Dalbergieae) em Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Rodriguésia 59:563-564.
1NativeSouthern AmericaBrazilBrazilCeará Costa, L. C. da et al. 2008. Estudo taxonômico de Stylosanthes (Leguminosae–Papilionoideae–Dalbergieae) em Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Rodriguésia 59:563-564.
1NativeSouthern AmericaBrazilBrazilGoiás Costa, L. C. da et al. 2008. Estudo taxonômico de Stylosanthes (Leguminosae–Papilionoideae–Dalbergieae) em Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Rodriguésia 59:563-564.
1NativeSouthern AmericaBrazilBrazilMaranhão Costa, L. C. da et al. 2008. Estudo taxonômico de Stylosanthes (Leguminosae–Papilionoideae–Dalbergieae) em Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Rodriguésia 59:563-564.
1NativeSouthern AmericaBrazilBrazilMato Grosso do Sul Costa, L. C. da et al. 2008. Estudo taxonômico de Stylosanthes (Leguminosae–Papilionoideae–Dalbergieae) em Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Rodriguésia 59:563-564.
1NativeSouthern AmericaBrazilBrazilMinas Gerais Costa, L. C. da et al. 2008. Estudo taxonômico de Stylosanthes (Leguminosae–Papilionoideae–Dalbergieae) em Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Rodriguésia 59:563-564.
1NativeSouthern AmericaBrazilBrazilPará Costa, L. C. da et al. 2008. Estudo taxonômico de Stylosanthes (Leguminosae–Papilionoideae–Dalbergieae) em Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Rodriguésia 59:563-564.
1NativeSouthern AmericaBrazilBrazilParaíba Costa, L. C. da et al. 2008. Estudo taxonômico de Stylosanthes (Leguminosae–Papilionoideae–Dalbergieae) em Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Rodriguésia 59:563-564.
1NativeSouthern AmericaBrazilBrazilPernambuco Costa, L. C. da et al. 2008. Estudo taxonômico de Stylosanthes (Leguminosae–Papilionoideae–Dalbergieae) em Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Rodriguésia 59:563-564.
1NativeSouthern AmericaBrazilBrazilPiauí Costa, L. C. da et al. 2008. Estudo taxonômico de Stylosanthes (Leguminosae–Papilionoideae–Dalbergieae) em Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Rodriguésia 59:563-564.
1NativeSouthern AmericaCaribbeanCuba  Williams, R. J. et al. 1984. Natural distribution of Stylosanthes. In: Stace, H. M. & L. A. Edye, eds., The biology and agronomy of Stylosanthes 85.
1NativeSouthern AmericaCentral AmericaBelize  Balick, M. J. et al. 2000. Checklist of the vascular plants of Belize, with common names and uses. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 85
1NativeSouthern AmericaCentral AmericaCosta Rica  Williams, R. J. et al. 1984. Natural distribution of Stylosanthes. In: Stace, H. M. & L. A. Edye, eds., The biology and agronomy of Stylosanthes 85.
1NativeSouthern AmericaCentral AmericaEl Salvador  Williams, R. J. et al. 1984. Natural distribution of Stylosanthes. In: Stace, H. M. & L. A. Edye, eds., The biology and agronomy of Stylosanthes 85.
1NativeSouthern AmericaCentral AmericaGuatemala  Williams, R. J. et al. 1984. Natural distribution of Stylosanthes. In: Stace, H. M. & L. A. Edye, eds., The biology and agronomy of Stylosanthes 85.
1NativeSouthern AmericaCentral AmericaHonduras  Williams, R. J. et al. 1984. Natural distribution of Stylosanthes. In: Stace, H. M. & L. A. Edye, eds., The biology and agronomy of Stylosanthes 85.
1NativeSouthern AmericaCentral AmericaNicaragua  Stevens, W. D. et al., eds. 2001. Flora de Nicaragua. Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 85(1-3).
1NativeSouthern AmericaCentral AmericaPanama  Woodson, R. E. & R. W. Schery, eds. 1943-1980. Flora of Panama.
1NativeSouthern AmericaNorthern South AmericaVenezuelaAmazonas Calles, T. & R. Schultze-Kraft. 2010. Stylosanthes (Leguminosae, Dalbergieae) of Venezuela. Willdenowia 40:315-317.
1NativeSouthern AmericaNorthern South AmericaVenezuelaAnzoátegui Calles, T. & R. Schultze-Kraft. 2010. Stylosanthes (Leguminosae, Dalbergieae) of Venezuela. Willdenowia 40:315-317.
1NativeSouthern AmericaNorthern South AmericaVenezuelaApure Calles, T. & R. Schultze-Kraft. 2010. Stylosanthes (Leguminosae, Dalbergieae) of Venezuela. Willdenowia 40:315-317.
1NativeSouthern AmericaNorthern South AmericaVenezuelaAragua Calles, T. & R. Schultze-Kraft. 2010. Stylosanthes (Leguminosae, Dalbergieae) of Venezuela. Willdenowia 40:315-317.
1NativeSouthern AmericaNorthern South AmericaVenezuelaBarinas Calles, T. & R. Schultze-Kraft. 2010. Stylosanthes (Leguminosae, Dalbergieae) of Venezuela. Willdenowia 40:315-317.
1NativeSouthern AmericaNorthern South AmericaVenezuelaBolívar Calles, T. & R. Schultze-Kraft. 2010. Stylosanthes (Leguminosae, Dalbergieae) of Venezuela. Willdenowia 40:315-317.
1NativeSouthern AmericaNorthern South AmericaVenezuelaCarabobo Calles, T. & R. Schultze-Kraft. 2010. Stylosanthes (Leguminosae, Dalbergieae) of Venezuela. Willdenowia 40:315-317.
1NativeSouthern AmericaNorthern South AmericaVenezuelaCojedes Calles, T. & R. Schultze-Kraft. 2010. Stylosanthes (Leguminosae, Dalbergieae) of Venezuela. Willdenowia 40:315-317.
1NativeSouthern AmericaNorthern South AmericaVenezuelaGuárico Calles, T. & R. Schultze-Kraft. 2010. Stylosanthes (Leguminosae, Dalbergieae) of Venezuela. Willdenowia 40:315-317.
1NativeSouthern AmericaNorthern South AmericaVenezuelaMonagas Calles, T. & R. Schultze-Kraft. 2010. Stylosanthes (Leguminosae, Dalbergieae) of Venezuela. Willdenowia 40:315-317.
1NativeSouthern AmericaNorthern South AmericaVenezuelaPortuguesa Calles, T. & R. Schultze-Kraft. 2010. Stylosanthes (Leguminosae, Dalbergieae) of Venezuela. Willdenowia 40:315-317.
1NativeSouthern AmericaNorthern South AmericaVenezuelaZulia Calles, T. & R. Schultze-Kraft. 2010. Stylosanthes (Leguminosae, Dalbergieae) of Venezuela. Willdenowia 40:315-317.
1NativeSouthern AmericaWestern South AmericaBolivia  Williams, R. J. et al. 1984. Natural distribution of Stylosanthes. In: Stace, H. M. & L. A. Edye, eds., The biology and agronomy of Stylosanthes 85.
1NativeSouthern AmericaWestern South AmericaColombia  Williams, R. J. et al. 1984. Natural distribution of Stylosanthes. In: Stace, H. M. & L. A. Edye, eds., The biology and agronomy of Stylosanthes 85.
2Cultivated    also cult. 
4NaturalizedAsia-TropicalMalesiaIndonesia  Lock, J. M. & C. S. Ford. 2004. Legumes of Malesia: a checklist
4NaturalizedAsia-TropicalMalesiaMalaysia  Lock, J. M. & C. S. Ford. 2004. Legumes of Malesia: a checklist
4NaturalizedAsia-TropicalMalesiaPhilippines  Lock, J. M. & C. S. Ford. 2004. Legumes of Malesia: a checklist
4NaturalizedAsia-TropicalPapuasiaPapua New Guinea  Lock, J. M. & C. S. Ford. 2004. Legumes of Malesia: a checklist
4NaturalizedAustralasiaAustraliaAustralia n.Hnatiuk, R. J. 1990. Census of Australian vascular plants. Australian Flora and Fauna Series No. 11.
Native
Northern America
  • SOUTHWESTERN U.S.A.: United States [Arizona (Cochise Co.)]
  • SOUTHERN MEXICO: Mexico [Chiapas, Colima, Guerrero, Jalisco, México, Michoacán de Ocampo, Oaxaca, Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave]
Southern America
  • CARIBBEAN: Cuba
  • CENTRAL AMERICA: Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, El Salvador
  • NORTHERN SOUTH AMERICA: Venezuela [Apure, Bolívar, Zulia, Amazonas, Anzoátegui, Aragua, Barinas, Cojedes, Guárico, Monagas, Portuguesa, Carabobo]
  • BRAZIL: Brazil [Amazonas, Bahia, Ceará, Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Pará, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí]
  • WESTERN SOUTH AMERICA: Bolivia, Colombia
Cultivated (also cult.)
Naturalized
Asia-Tropical
  • PAPUASIA: Papua New Guinea
  • MALESIA: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines
Australasia
  • AUSTRALIA: Australia (n.)

Reference(s)
  1. Balick, M. J. et al. 2000. Checklist of the vascular plants of Belize, with common names and uses. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 85
  2. Calles, T. & R. Schultze-Kraft. 2010. Stylosanthes (Leguminosae, Dalbergieae) of Venezuela. Willdenowia 40:315-317.
  3. Costa, L. C. da et al. 2008. Estudo taxonômico de Stylosanthes (Leguminosae–Papilionoideae–Dalbergieae) em Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Rodriguésia 59:563-564.
  4. Hnatiuk, R. J. 1990. Census of Australian vascular plants. Australian Flora and Fauna Series No. 11.
  5. Isely, D. 1998. Native and naturalized Leguminosae (Fabaceae) of the United States (exclusive of Alaska and Hawaii)
  6. Lock, J. M. & C. S. Ford. 2004. Legumes of Malesia: a checklist
  7. McVaugh, R. 1983-. Flora Novo-Galiciana.
  8. Stevens, W. D. et al., eds. 2001. Flora de Nicaragua. Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 85(1-3).
  9. Williams, R. J. et al. 1984. Natural distribution of Stylosanthes. In: Stace, H. M. & L. A. Edye, eds., The biology and agronomy of Stylosanthes 85.
  10. Woodson, R. E. & R. W. Schery, eds. 1943-1980. Flora of Panama.
Economic Uses
UsageTypeNoteReference
Animal foodforagegrazingDuke, J. A. 1981. Handbook of legumes of world economic importance
Environmentalsoil improver National Academy of Sciences. 1979. Tropical legumes: resources for the future
Cite as: USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Plant Germplasm System. 2026. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN Taxonomy). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.
URL: https://npgstest.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomydetail?id=35881. Accessed 9 May 2026.