|
Photographer: Robert W. Freckmann
|
Family Fabaceae
Desmodium illinoense A.Gray
Illinois tick-trefoil, prairie tick-trefoil
Desmodium: Greek meaning "long branch or chain," probably from the shape and the way the seedpods attach
illinoense: from Illinois
|
|
| Status: | Native |
| Plant: | erect, perennial, up to 3' tall forb |
| Flower: | white to pink, 5-parted, 1/3" long, stalks about 1/2" long; inflorescence a sparsely-flowered, long cluster (raceme) either with none or only a few branches; blooms July-Aug. |
| Fruit: | flat, mostly straight pod covered with clinging, hooked hairs and divided into 2-5 rounded segments  |
| Leaf: | 3-parted, lance-like, both sides rough with hooked hairs; leaf stalk much longer than the stalk of the end leaflet |
| Habitat: | sun; dry to moderate moisture; prairies, roadsides; in rich soil |
| (Glossary) |
|
