Jointvetch: Native Legume in a New Role For Deer and Cattle

Abstract

In 1963, American jointvetch (Aeschynomene americana L.) which is palatable to both deer and cattle, was successfully established on a 10-acre site in south Florida's wet prairies, an area subject to summer flooding and winter drought. Observations over the next 4 years indicated that deer browsed on the legume throughout the summer and fall, particularly in August and September, the period of its peak growth. Annual disking and relatively light fertilization induced a yield of 2 tons (ovendry) per acre the third year after planting.

After the first year, other herbage (about 55 ton per acre) palatable to cattle was produced during the winter when jointvetch had matured. Goobergrass (Amphicarpum muhlenbergianum), which could furnish food for cattle in the summer as well as during the winter, increased significantly and produced 1 ton per acre on disked sites during the third year.

Citation

Moore, William H.; Hilmon, J.B. 1969. Jointvetch: Native Legume in a New Role For Deer and Cattle. Res. Note SE-114. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station. 5 p.