Showy Tick Trefoil (Desmodium canadense)

General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit:	Herb/Forb
Life cycle:	Perennial
Sun Requirements:	Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences:	Wet Mesic Mesic
Plant Height:	2-6 feet
Flowers:	Showy
Flower Color:	Purple
Bloom Size:	Under 1"
Flower Time:	Summer Late summer or early fall
Wildlife Attractant:	Bees Birds Butterflies
Propagation: Seeds:	Depth to plant seed: If adding inoculum, lightly cover the seeds with soil. Other info: Species specific inoculum added to dampened seeds just before planting improves the long-term health of plant.
Pollinators:	Bumblebees

Common names

Photo Gallery

Comments:

Posted by ILPARW (southeast Pennsylvania - Zone 6b) on Dec 31, 2020 3:36 PM concerning plant:

This Showy Tick-Trefoil is found in open woods and meadows & prairie, especially in native plant restorations or remnants, from southern Saskatchewan to Nova Scotia south into Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, and Maryland. It bears pink pea-like blossoms about 1/2 inch wide in spikes in summer. It later bears hairy 3 to 5-jointed seed pods that can catch on fur or clothing. It has long-oval leaflets in threes that look clover-like. It fixes Nitrogen like other legumes or members of the Pea Family.

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Posted by BrendaVR (Ontario, Canada - Zone 6a) on Sep 13, 2014 3:40 PM concerning plant:

I believe the name "Tick Trefoil" and its other common names such as “Beggar’s Lice” and “Stick Tights” come from the tendency of the seeds to stick to anything even slightly fuzzy.

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Discussion Threads about this plant

Thread Title	Last Reply	Replies
Fun! by Chillybean	Jul 13, 2016 7:32 AM	1

Desmodium Showy Tick Trefoil (Desmodium canadense)