Desmodium Species, Canada Tickclover, Beggar's Lice, Tick Trefoil

Desmodium canadense

Family
Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Desmodium (des-MOH-dee-um)
Species
canadense (ka-na-DEN-see)
Synonym
Hedysarum canadense
Meibomia canadensis
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Pink
Blue-Violet
Lavender
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Chicago, Illinois

Yale, Iowa

Benton, Kentucky

Hi Hat, Kentucky

Mc Dowell, Kentucky

Morehead, Kentucky

Taylorsville, Kentucky

Baltimore, Maryland

Cary, North Carolina

Oxford, North Carolina

Hulbert, Oklahoma

Greenville, South Carolina

Johnston, South Carolina

Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Liberty Hill, Texas

Leesburg, Virginia

Richmond, Virginia

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Gardener's Notes:

3
positives
1
neutral
2
negatives
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C
(Zone 5a) | June 2015 | positive

Unlike some native to US plants, this does not need cold stratification to germinate, just sow in warm soil. It does require a species s...Read More

O
Buckingham, FL | April 2012 | negative

Did not plant.PLEASE how do I get rid of them?
They are taking over my yard which has Floratan + what ever the storms has brought ...Read More

T
Mount Pleasant, SC | October 2011 | negative

Beggar lice, as we call this plant, is simply a noxious weed that grows vigourously and will shade almost everything under it's 9'+ canop...Read More

G
Travelers Rest, SC (Zone 7a) | October 2009 | neutral

This plant also grows in the Upstate of SC. I have several specimens of it in my gardens. Most, I've tried to get rid of, however I've le...Read More

B
(Zone 7a) | August 2006 | positive

Ditto to Melody's note above. We often encounter the flowers on late summer walks on local trails along path edges both in shaded woods ...Read More

M
M
Benton, KY (Zone 7a) | August 2004 | positive

I know that some folks don't care for this plant, but it is an attractive little weed that adds pretty color in theLate Summer/ Fall when...Read More

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