Illinois Bundleflower

Desmanthus illinoensis

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Desmanthus
Species:
Desmanthus illinoensis

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb , Subshrub
Height:
4-6 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
may, jun, jul, aug, sep
Bloom Colors:
White

Native Range

United States: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
tolerates a range of soil types but prefers fertile conditions

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Seeds are scarified. Field seed is not damp stratified due to clumping problems during the drilling process.

Establishment: The plant is also known as Illinois bundleflower or Illinois Mimosa. It is found from Ohio, Minnesota, and North Dakota south to Colorado, New Mexico, and through the eastern states to Florida. It inhabits prairies, woods, streambanks and roadsides. The plant flowers from approx. July 8 to August 7. Seed is harvested about August 24.

Source: npn.rngr.net