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Bruso, George H.

Amphicarpaea bracteata

Amphicarpaea bracteata (L.) Fernald

American Hogpeanut

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: ambr2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

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 plant's common name.

From the Image Gallery

3 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Vine
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Fruit Type: Legume
Size Notes: Stems twining, up to about 5 feet long.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Purple
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 , WY
Canada: MB , NB , NS , ON , QC
Native Distribution: Manitoba east to Nova Scotia, south to Florida, west to Texas, and north to North Dakota and Montana.
Native Habitat: Woodlands.

Benefit

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

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Silver-spotted Skipper
(Epargyreus clarus)

Larval Host

Learn more at BAMONA

Northern Cloudywing
(Thorybes pylades)

Larval Host

Learn more at BAMONA

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FAC				FAC	FACU		FAC	FAC	FACU

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

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

Web Reference

Webref 57 - Atlas of Florida Plants (2020) Institute for Systematic Botany
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

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: 2022-11-09
Research By: TWC Staff

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