Strophostyles Explained

Strophostyles is monophyletic three-species genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae.[1] [2] Common names for the genus include wild bean and fuzzybean (due to their pubescent pods and seed coverings).[2] It consists of annual and perennial herbaceous vines, ranging in their native distribution from Nevada, east to Florida, and north to the Great Lakes and eastern Canada. The etymology of the name is strophe (turning) + stylos (style), referring to the curve of the style within the keel petal.[3]

Distinctive traits

Strophostyles is the only genus within subtribe Phaseolinae (e.g., Phaseolus, Vigna, Lablab) with a native distribution center in the United States.[4] Like other Phaseolinae, the keel petal of its papilionoid flowers are curled inward to the right, although in Strophostyles and a few other genera only the very tip of the keel is coiled.[2]

Ecology

Strophostyles typically inhabits sites near freshwater or saline reservoirs (e.g., ponds, ditches, coastal dunes, etc.), sand prairies, and ruderal sites. The seeds are eaten by birds and rodents, which may serve as a dispersal mechanism, though their distribution throughout ruderal, disturbed sites suggests unintentional human distribution as well.

Ethnobotany

Strophostyles helvola has been used by Native North Americans for food and medicine. The Choctaw consumed boiled, mashed roots, and archaeological evidence suggests that their seeds were consumed as well, which are smaller but with a similar nutrition profile to Phaseolus vulgaris.[5] [6] The Houma made a decoction of the seeds to treat typhoid,[7] and the Iroquois applied leaves to treat poison ivy rashes and warts.[8]

Species

Recognized species are supported by:[1] [2] [9] [10] [11] [12]

Species identification is still ambiguous due to similar morphological characters and potential interspecific hybridization.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Delgado-Salinas. A.. Thulin. M.. Pasquet. R.. Weeden. N.. Lavin. M.. 2011-10-01. Vigna (Leguminosae) sensu lato: The names and identities of the American segregate genera. American Journal of Botany. en. 98. 10. 1694–1715. 10.3732/ajb.1100069. 1537-2197. 21980163. 207750926 .
  2. Riley-Hulting. Erin T.. Delgado-Salinas. Alfonso. Lavin. Matt. 2004-07-01. Phylogenetic Systematics of Strophostyles (Fabaceae): A North American Temperate Genus Within a Neotropical Diversification. Systematic Botany. 29. 3. 627–653. 10.1600/0363644041744464. 85774146 .
  3. Web site: Online Virtual Flora of Wisconsin - Strophostyles leiosperma. wisflora.herbarium.wisc.edu. 2018-09-22.
  4. Pelotto. Juan Pablo. Del Pero Martinez. Maria A. 1998. Flavonoids in Strophostyles species and the related genus Dolichopsis (Phaseolinae, Fabaceae): Distribution and phylogenetic significance. 41967295. SIDA, Contributions to Botany. 18. 1. 213–222.
  5. Bushnell Jr.. David I.. 1909. The Choctaw of Bayou Lacomb, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. SI-BAE Bulletin #48. 8.
  6. Web site: Strophostyles helvola (L.) Elliot Laboratory Guide To Archaeological Plant Remains From Eastern North America. pages.wustl.edu. en. 2018-03-24.
  7. Speck. Frank G.. 1941. A List of Plant Curatives Obtained From the Houma Indians of Louisiana. Primitive Man. 14. 4. 49–75. 10.2307/3316460. 3316460.
  8. Book: Herrick, James William. Iroquois Medical Botany. PhD Thesis. 1977. State University of New York, Albany. 365.
  9. Book: Common legumes of the Great Plains: an illustrated guide. Stubbendieck . James L.. 1989. University of Nebraska Press. Conard. Elverne C.. 9780803242043. Lincoln. 18462927.
  10. Book: Native and naturalized Leguminosae (Fabaceae) of the United States : (exclusive of Alaska and Hawaii). Isely, Duane. 1998. Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, Brigham Young University. 9780842523967. Provo, Utah. 40451484.
  11. Book: Flora of the Great Plains. Brooks, Ralph E., Schofield, Eileen K., McGregor, Ronald L., Barkley, T. M., Great Plains Flora Association (U.S.). 978-0700602957. Lawrence, Kansas. 13093762. McGregor. Ronald L.. Barkley. Theodore Mitchell. 1986.
  12. Book: Steyermark's Flora of Missouri.. Steyermark. Julian A.. 1999. Missouri Dept. of Conservation in cooperation with Missouri Botanical Garden Press. Yatskievych. George Alfred. 9780915279135. Rev.. Jefferson City, Mo.. 40988742.
  13. Web site: Tropicos Name - !Strophostyles helvola (L.) Elliott. www.tropicos.org. 2018-03-24.
  14. Web site: Plant Guide for Strophostyles helvula. Immel. D.L.. 2001. USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center, c/o Environmental Horticulture Department, University of California, Davis, California. Feb 15, 2018.

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