Slender Tick Trefoil

Slender Tick Trefoil
Slender Tick Trefoil
Slender Tick Trefoil
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©Desmodium varians - Giorgio De Nola CC2.5, Desmodium varians - Giorgio De Nola CC2.5, Desmodium varians - Giorgio De Nola CC2.5

Desmodium varians


Prostrate or climbing herb with stems to 50 cm long. Yellow-green leaves in threes (trifoliate) are actually leaflets, 0.5-4.0 cm long, 5-20 mm wide. Inconspicuous pea-shaped yellowish to white flowers to 5 mm long. Seedpods, 7-20 mm long, in usually 5 segments that separate at maturity.


Details
Flora Type
Herbs
Former Scientific Name
Desmodium varians var. gunnii
Distinctive Features

Seed pods have a dense covering of hooked hairs to facilitate dispersal.

Biology

Perennial. Widespread but not common. Prefers fertile loam. Dies back to rootstock over summer. When it reshoots it first develops a flowerspike at the tip, then develops side branches later. Palatable to livestock.

Native Status
Native
Flowering Time

Mostly spring to summer, but throughout year

Taxonomy
Phylum
Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants)
Class
Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants)
Order
Fabales
Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Desmodium
Species
varians

Resprouts after fire and has a soil-stored seedbank. Often overlooked until in flower.


Interesting Facts
Native Status
Native