SafePlants

Florida Tick Trefoil (Desmodium floridanum)

Desmodium floridanum, commonly known as Florida Tick Trefoil, is a native perennial legume found in the southeastern United States. It's a member of the Fabaceae (Pea) family.

Considerations for Pets

• The seeds are contained in jointed pods covered with tiny [unspecified].

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Desmodium floridanum Chapm.
• Common Name: Florida Tick Trefoil
• Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)
• Taxonomic Rank: Species
• Synonyms:
  • Meibomia floridana (Chapm.) Kuntze
  • Meibomia rhombifolia (Elliott) Vail
  • Meibomia ochroleuca (M.A.Curtis ex Canby)

Distribution and Habitat

• Historically found in 11 eastern states, ranging from Florida north to New [unspecified].
• Specifically found in: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
• Also found in 34 states and much of eastern Canada: AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN [and more unspecified].

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• A 2 to 3-foot tall native perennial herb.
• Features pink pea-like flowers in terminal open clusters.
• Produces seeds in jointed pods.

Ecological Role

• May be considered a "weed" in some contexts, with some varieties naturalized in Florida.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Serves as a host plant for butterfly caterpillars, including the Clouded Skipper (Electrostrymon angelia).

Related Species

• Round-leaf tick-trefoil (Desmodium rotundifolium).
• Hoary Ticktrefoil (Desmodium canescens)
• Largebract Ticktrefoil (Desmodium cuspidatum)
• Grassleaf Ticktrefoil (Desmodium gramineum)
• Showy Tick Trefoil (Desmodium canadense)
• Greenleaf Tick Trefoil (Desmodium intortum)
• Sand Ticktrefoil (Desmodium lineatum)

Further Information

• Discover Life: Discover Life's page about Desmodium floridanum
• Dave's Garden: A community for sharing gardening tips and ideas.
• Florida Natural Areas Inventory, 2000.