Showy Ticktrefoil
Desmodium canadense
- Native to:
- Canada, United States, Virgin Islands
iNaturalist: © hollyyoung (iNaturalist #239158773)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Desmodium
- Species:
- Desmodium canadense
- USDA Symbol:
- DECA7
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Hoary Edge (Achalarus lyciades), Northern Cloudywing (Thorybes pylades)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), Black and (Bombus auricomus), Brown-belted bumble (Bombus griseocollis), Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Half-black bumble (Bombus vagans), Northern amber (Bombus borealis), Red-belted bumble (Bombus rufocinctus), 🛑Rusty-patched bumble (Bombus affinis), Two-spotted bumble (Bombus bimaculatus) Butterflies:Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, small mammals
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny locations
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from scarification (nicking or hot water) followed by cold stratification.
Pre-treatment: Scarification by rubbing between two pieces of coarse emery cloth. Stratification by mixing with damp sand and storing at 38°F for 4 weeks in a sealed plastic bag. Inoculation with inoculum for Desmodium.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires scarification.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Ernst Seeds (seeds)
- Vermont Wildflower Farm (nursery and seeds)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Pizzo Native Plant Nursery (wholesale nursery)
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)