Ticktrefoil
Desmodium sericophyllum
- Native to:
- Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guam, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Venezuela
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Desmodium
- Species:
- Desmodium sericophyllum
- USDA Symbol:
- DESE2
Growth Characteristics
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, small mammals
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
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 treatment) followed by cold stratification.