Background: Desmodium alysicarpoides Van Meeuwen, a member of Fabaceae, is an herbaceous species showing traits intermediate between Alysicarpus and Desmodium, raising taxonomic ambiguity.

Methods: Morphological, anatomical, micromorphological, seed-coat (spermoderma), and molecular (DNA barcoding with rbcl) approaches were employed on field-collected and herbarium-confirmed specimens. Transverse sections, epidermal peels, maceration studies, and SEM analyses were performed. Molecular sequencing followed PCR amplification, alignment, and phylogenetic analysis.

Results: Morphological features include erect to branched stems (30–60 cm), trifoliate leaves, bright red flowers, and falcate pods with 4–6 joints. Anatomically, stems are circular with conjoint, collateral vascular bundles; leaves are dorsiventral with amphistomatic paracytic stomata; maceration showed four vessel types. SEM revealed rugose-reticulate testa and distinct hilum. Molecular phylogeny grouped D. Alysicarpoides with Alysicarpus (bootstrap 99%), supporting closer affinity.