Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Fabaceae

Genus:

Desmodium

Species:

Desmodium angustifolium

USDA Symbol:

DEAN7

Growth Characteristics

Height:

90 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

jul,aug,sep

Bloom Colors:

pink, purple

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees, butterflies, birds

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts from rootstock following fire. Often increases in abundance in fire-maintained longleaf pine savannas and sandhills.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil

pH:

5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

Commonly found in open, sunny areas

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Scarification:

Seed coat scarification required before sowing

Germination Time:

14–30 days

Notes:

Scarification of the hard seed coat greatly improves germination. Seeds may also benefit from inoculation with appropriate Rhizobium.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI