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(Desmodium batocaulon)
San Pedro Ticktrefoil (Desmodium batocaulon)
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Katja Schulz
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Katja Schulz
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Katja Schulz | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Katja Schulz | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2017-08-25T18:24:14-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Desmodium batocaulon, commonly known as San Pedro Ticktrefoil, is a deciduous perennial herb native to open woodlands and prairies in the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. It typically grows to a height of 2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 meters) and a spread of 1-3 feet (0.3-0.9 meters), featuring a bushy habit with trifoliate leaves. During the summer and fall, it produces small, showy pink to purple flowers, which are followed by distinctive jointed seed pods that stick to clothing and fur, hence the common name "Ticktrefoil".
San Pedro Ticktrefoil is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, enriching it for other plants. It is often used in native plant gardens, restoration projects, and as a cover crop in agricultural settings. This plant prefers full sun to partial shade and adapts well to a variety of soil types, provided they have good drainage. While it is generally low-maintenance, it can spread aggressively via seeds and rhizomes, which should be considered when planting in small garden spaces.CC BY-SA 4.0
San Pedro Ticktrefoil is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, enriching it for other plants. It is often used in native plant gardens, restoration projects, and as a cover crop in agricultural settings. This plant prefers full sun to partial shade and adapts well to a variety of soil types, provided they have good drainage. While it is generally low-maintenance, it can spread aggressively via seeds and rhizomes, which should be considered when planting in small garden spaces.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 2-4 feet
- Width: 1-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Blue, Purple
- Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Butterfly Garden, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
native to open woodlands and prairies in the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico
Other Names
Common Names:
Scientific Names: , Desmodium batocaulon, Meibomia batocaulis, Meibomia batocaulon,
GBIF Accepted Name: Desmodium batocaulon A.Gray