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Desmodium

Phonetic Spelling
des-MOH-dee-um
Description

Desmodium spp., commonly known as Beggars lice is a woody trailing legume in the Fabaceae family. There are dozens of species and there is indecision in the taxonomic world in defining the genus. This plant can be used as a living mulch or green manure as they are able to improve soil fertility via nitrogen fixation. They can also be used as livestock fodder. The hairy seedpods readily cling to fur and clothing so both animals and humans unwittingly spread their seeds. They germinate readily and can become weedy.

Beggarlice are herbaceous perennials that may grow 2 to 4 feet tall. The leaves are alternate and trifoliate with hooked hairs on the underside. Flowers vary in color from white to violet. The herb produces a triangular seed that sticks like a tick.

Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating.

Regions:  Mountain, Piedmont, Coastal Plains

Seasons of Interest: 

  Blooms:  Late summer            Nut/Fruit/Seed:  Fall

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#small mammals#NC native#Hoary edge butterfly#pollinator plant#native wildflower#larval host plant#food source fall#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#gray hairstreak butterfly#silver-spotted skipper butterfly#southern cloudywing butterfly#northern cloudywing butterfly#eastern tailed-blue butterfly#wildflower#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#small mammals#NC native#Hoary edge butterfly#pollinator plant#native wildflower#larval host plant#food source fall#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#gray hairstreak butterfly#silver-spotted skipper butterfly#southern cloudywing butterfly#northern cloudywing butterfly#eastern tailed-blue butterfly#wildflower#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Desmodium
    Family:
    Fabaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Tropics & Subtropics to North America
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    They make a quality food source for bobwhite, turkey, grouse, and deer. This is a larval host plant for many species of butterfly. Silver-Spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) appears from May-September with three-four broods in the deep south, two broods in the east, and one brood in the north and west. Hoary Edge (Achalarus lyciades) has two broods from April-September in most of its range, one brood from June-August in the north. Northern Cloudywing (Thorybes pylades) broods from May-July in the north, earlier in the south and two broods from March-September in Texas. Southern Cloudywing (Thorybes bathyllus) which has two broods (possibly three) from June-early October in most of its range, one brood mid-June-mid-July in the north. Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus) has three to four flights from February-November in the south and two flights from May-September in the north. Eastern Tailed-Blue (Everes comyntas) has many broods from February-November. In the winter, its seeds serve as a food source for songbirds, quail, and small mammals.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    fire in the landscape, moderately resistant to damage from deer, drought tolerant
    Edibility:
    Edible
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Weed
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Legume
    Fruit Description:
    Legume hairy seed pod in triangular form which readily clings to fur and clothing so both animals and humans unwittingly spread their seeds. They germinate readily and can become weedy.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    The central stem of the Beggars lice flower terminates in an elongated raceme of pale purple or white flowers about ½–1½' long. Usually, only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. Flowers are attractive to some pollinators. Blooms in late summer.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Beggars lice has alternate, trifoliate, compound leaves, light green above and whitish green below, which have prominent veins with fine hooked hairs. Leaflets are up to 3½" long and 1" across, lanceolate-oblong or lanceolate-ovate, with smooth margins, and a leathery texture. The base of a leaflet is rounded, while the tip is usually blunt.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Bud Terminal:
    Cluster of terminal buds
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    The stem is green, erect, pubescent, with clusters of pink or rose-purple flowers.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Fire
    Problems:
    Weedy