Rhynchosia tomentosa, commonly known as the twining snoutbean is a species of plant in the legume family. It is native to the Southeastern United States, where it is primarily found in dry, open woodlands and sandhills.
Description R. tomentosa is a perennial that produces yellow flowers in the summer. It is an erect herb that may reach a height between 3 and 9 meters (approximately 10 to 29.5 feet). Leaves are 2 to 7 centimeters (0.8 to 2.7 inches) in length and are oblong to elliptic in shape.Radford, Albert E., Harry E. Ahles, and C. Ritchie Bell. Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. 1964, 1968. The University of North Carolina Press. 638. Print.
Distribution and habitat This species has been found at elevations up to 240 meters (787 feet) above sea level. within the Coastal Plain region of the United States.Archer, J. K., D. L. Miller, et al. 2007. Changes in understory vegetation and soil characteristics following silvicultural activities in a southeastern mixed pine forest. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 134: 489-504.
R. tomentosa occurs in habitat types such as longleaf pine sandhills, old growth longleaf pine stands, hammocks, and glades, among other environments. It has also been documented as occurring in previously disturbed habitats, such as along roadsides or within recently-burned pinewoods.Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: July 2015. Collectors: Loran C. Anderson, T. MacClendon, K. MacClendon, Brenda Herring, Don Herring, R. A. Norris, Rodie White, Richard R. Clinebell II, Robert Kral, Mabel Kral, Roy Komarek, John B. Nelson, A. Anrrich, Elias L Potagas, George R. Cooley, Carroll E. Wood, Jr., Robert K. Godfrey, K. Craddock Burks, Gwynn W. Ramsey, R. S. Mitchell, C. Jackson, Sidney McDaniel, G. Wilder, Roy Komarek, W. C. Coker, C. Ritchie Bell, R. L. Wilbur, James D. Ray, Jr., M. F. Buell, Jean Wooten, S. B. Jones, Carleen Jones, A. B. Seymour, H. R. Reed, A. F. Clewell, M. Morgan. States and Counties: Alabama: Baldwin, Cullman, Elmore, Jefferson, Marengo, Perry. Florida: Calhoun, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gadsden, Hamilton, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Nassau, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Wakulla. Georgia: Baker, Grady, Seminole, Thomas, Turner. Mississippii: Clarke, Forrest, Jackson, Lawrence, Pearl River. North Carolina: Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Wake, Warren. South Carolina: Darlington, Newberry.
This species acts as an indicator species in longleaf woodland communities.Carr, S.C., K.M. Robertson, and R.K. Peet. 2010. "A vegetation classification of fire-dependent pinelands of Florida". Castanea 75:153-189.
Ecology
Rhynchosia tomentosa is insect pollinated and is recorded to have been visited in northern Florida by Anthidiellum notatum, Ceratina, Megachile albitarsis, Megachile exilis, Megachile georgica. Ulyshen, M. D., K. Robertson, S. Horn, and C. Dixon. 2024. Characterization of the bee community and pollination network in a southeastern U.S. pine savanna. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 12:1403602.
References