SafePlants

Desmodium procumbens

Also known as Western Trailing Ticktrefoil, this plant is a forb/herb, meaning it's a non-woody plant that isn't a grass.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant produces fruits that are "tick-like" and may cling to fur.
• The plant has trailing stems, which could present a tangling hazard for smaller pets.

Considerations for Children

• The plant produces fruits that are "tick-like" and may cling to clothing.
• The plant has trailing stems, which could present a tripping hazard.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Taxonomic Rank: Species
• Family: Fabaceae (Legume family)
• Synonyms:
  • Desmodium sylvaticum Benth.
  • Desmodium tenuiculum DC.
  • Desmodium spirale DC.
  • Hedysarum procumbens
  • Desmodium x humifusum (Muhl. ex Willd.) DC.
• Varieties:
  • Desmodium procumbens var. exiguum (A. Gray) B.G. Schub.
  • Desmodium procumbens var. procumbens

Common Names

• Western Trailing Ticktrefoil (English)
• Western Trailing Tickclover
• Eastern Trailing Ticktrefoil
• Tick Clover
• Round-Leaved Trailing Tick-Trefoil
• Pega Pega (Spanish)

Distribution and Habitat

• Desmodium humifusum, similar to Desmodium procumbens, is native to North America, specifically the US Lower 48.
• Specifically mentioned locations include Arizona (Warsaw Canyon, Santa Cruz Co.), Delaware and Vermont.
• It is found in dry sandy woods, from eastern Massachusetts to New York, western New Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania to South Carolina.

Morphological Characteristics

• It is a perennial herb.
• The plant has trailing, hairy stems that can grow up to 3 feet long and tend to press against the ground.
• Stems can be woody below, or from a woody crown.
• Taproot present, and Nodules are also present.
• Stems are prostrate, trailing, or mat-forming.

Quirky Facts

• Round-leaved trailing tick-trefoil (Desmodium rotundifolium), a relative, is listed as threatened in Vermont and New Hampshire.
• The fruits are "tick-like," a characteristic reflected in the common names "ticktrefoil" and "tickclover."

Related Species

• Desmodium floridanum (Florida Ticktrefoil)
• Desmodium gramineum (Grassleaf Ticktrefoil)
• Desmodium psilocarpum (Santa Cruz Island Ticktrefoil)
• Desmodium adscendens (zarzabacoa galana)

Further Information

• Discover Life: Provides information on the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Desmodium procumbens.
• Dave's Garden: A community forum for sharing gardening tips, ideas, seeds, and plants.
• Garden Guides: Offers plant information, identification resources, and gardening advice related to Desmodium procumbens.
• Encyclopedia of Life: Provides details on Desmodium procumbens var. exiguum.