Prostrate Ticktrefoil
Desmodium rotundifolium
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
iNaturalist: © sammakler (iNaturalist #58166778)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Desmodium
- Species:
- Desmodium rotundifolium
- USDA Symbol:
- DERO3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Caloptilia violacella, Hoary Edge (Achalarus lyciades), Northern Cloudywing (Thorybes pylades), Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus), Southern Cloudywing (Thorybes bathyllus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, small mammals
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from rootstock following fire. Associated with fire-maintained open woodlands and savannas.
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 woods and fields
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 hard seed coat improves germination. May benefit from inoculation with Rhizobium.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI