Showy Tick-Trefoil

Desmodium canadense

This attractive native perennial sends up stems ending in racemes of large (1/2 inch) pink pea-like flowers packed closely together; the main raceme is often accompanied by side shoots with their own cluster of flowers (see photo at left), which when all in bloom make quite a show.  The hairy stems are also quite covered with leaves below the blooms; leaves are long-ovate, with smooth edges, and up to about 4 inches long.  Although the stems can be 6 feet long, they often lean over so the flowers are often only waist-high.

2-6 feet, sun - partial sun.

Summer (July-August).

  The profuse leaves lower below the blooms.

11 July 2020.

Showy Tick-Trefoil, 14 July 2020.

Leaning over.

14 July 2020.