Dixie Ticktrefoil
Desmodium tortuosum
- Native to:
- Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Cayman Is., Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Trinidad-Tobago, United States, Venezuelan Antilles, Virgin Islands, Windward Is.
iNaturalist: © gregtasney (iNaturalist #111074535)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Desmodium
- Species:
- Desmodium tortuosum
- USDA Symbol:
- DETO
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), Exelastis pumilio, Porphyrosela desmodiella, Tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens), Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, deer, butterflies
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from rootstock following fire; common in fire-maintained pine flatwoods and disturbed areas.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers disturbed areas with good sunlight
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Scarification of hard seed coat improves germination. Seeds may also benefit from inoculation with appropriate Rhizobium.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI