D. adenopoda is a
perennial upright shrub in the family Fabaceae that may reach up to 3 feet tall. The flowers are born in terminal heads. The flower buds are concealed by red
ovate bracts. Each flower head consists of up to 30 white to pinkish-white flowers. The fruit is a
pod about 2.5 mm long. The
alternate leaves are small and
fascicled, less than 2 cm long with 3-7
elliptical leaflets, usually 2-3 mm wide and 6-8 mm long. They are pale green and often
involute.
D. adenopoda can often be mistaken for another species,
D. pinnata, which is found throughout North and Central Florida and has a similar
inflorescence. The two species can be distinguished by the shape of their leaflets.
D. pinnata leaflets are linear, while
D. adenopoda has leaflets that are
elliptical. ==Distribution and Habitat==