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Naked-flowered Tick Trefoil Hylodesmum nudiflorum

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Desmodium nudiflorum
Phonetic Spelling
hy-LOW-des-mum noo-dih-FLORE-um
Description

Nakedflower Ticktrefoil is a native wildflower in the pea family that prefers open woodlands in mature hardwood forests in moist, sandy, gravelly or loamy soil with high organic content. It is a nitrogen-fixing species through symbiosis with soil-borne bacteria.

The delicate pinkish blooms are sweetly fragrant and occur mid to late summer and are visited by bees. They appear on a naked stem in clusters and are reminiscent of pea-like blooms. Use in a woodland or native garden.

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#pink flowers#shade garden#fire low flammability#NC native#summer flowers#pollinator plant#native wildflower#bee friendly#wildflower#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#pink flowers#shade garden#fire low flammability#NC native#summer flowers#pollinator plant#native wildflower#bee friendly#wildflower#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hylodesmum
    Species:
    nudiflorum
    Family:
    Fabaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South Eastern Canada to Central & Eastern U.S.A
    Distribution:
    AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts bees. Host plant to Eastern Tailed-Blue butterflies
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Larval Host
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is a flat pod called a loment and is divided into 1-4 segments. It is covered in hooked short hairs to attach to objects like your clothes and animal fur.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Lipped
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    0.3 in. rose-purple flowers are borne on leafless stems in 1 or more clusters. The bloom has a rounded upper petal and 3 narrower lower petals that are longer than the upper. Blooms mid to late summer.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaf stalk arises separately from the flower stalk. The leaves are compound and arranged in threes in a tight cluster. Individual leaflets are 2-3½" long and 1½-2½" across. The terminal leaf is larger than the lateral leaves.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    The stem is light green to reddish-green with short hairs.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Fire