Small-leaved Tick-Trefoil

(Desmodium ciliare)

 

   

 

 

Color Photograph: © by and courtesy of West Virginia Herbarium

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Small-leaved Tick-Trefoil (Desmodium ciliare [Muhl. ex Willd.] DC.)

Identification: Flowers pink to lavender, the lower petals forming an elongate projection. Flowers loosely spaced on a terminal flower stalk (raceme). Seedpods jointed with only 1 or 2 segments. Stem downy. Leaves divided into 3 leaflets, each leaflet small, elongate-ovate, very cloverlike. Leaves resemble those of the genus Lespedeza. Plant 1 to 3 feet in height.

Distribution: Found from the Prairie States in the west, eastward to Massachusetts, southward to Florida and Texas.

Habitat: Small-leaved Tick-Trefoil is found on sandy, dry soils.

Flowering period: July to August.

Similar Species: The combination of the small, cloverlike leaves and the Desmodium flowers and seedpods readily identify this species.

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