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Amphicarpaea bracteata (American hogpeanut)
Bruso, George H.

Amphicarpaea bracteata (L.) Fern.

American hogpeanut

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

USDA Symbol: ambr2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A twining vine with 2 kinds of flowers. Flowers: Those on upper branches 1/2 (1.5 cm) long, pale purple, pale pink, or lilac, in clusters hanging from leaf axils; those on lower or creeping branches inconspicuous, lacking petals.

The genus name is from the Greek amphi (of both kinds) and carpos (fruit) and refers to the two kinds of fruit. The seeds of the upper fruit are inedible, but those from the underground fruit are edible when boiled. Birds feed on the seeds of both kinds of fruit. Hogs eat the seeds of the fruit below ground, hence the plants common name.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Vine
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Time: Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , NS
Native Distribution: Manitoba east to Nova Scotia, south to Florida, west to Texas, and north to North Dakota and Montana.
Native Habitat: Woodlands.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Benefit

Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus), Northern Cloudywing (Thorybes pylades)

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Amphicarpaea bracteata is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Silver-spotted Skipper
(Epargyreus clarus)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA 		Northern Cloudywing
(Thorybes pylades)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Natural Biodiversity - Johnstown, PA

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Amphicarpaea bracteata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Amphicarpaea bracteata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Amphicarpaea bracteata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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