Desmodium canadense

Also called Canada Tick Trefoil, Beggars Lice, Stick Tights

Spikes of pink to lavender sweet-pea-like flower clusters
Velvety hairs cover the stems and the tri-lobed compound leaves
This drought-tolerant plant can be grown on rooftops with as little as 15 cm of growing medium
Part of the pea or legume family, fixing nitrogen from the air
Bloom Time: Midsummer to early fall

ZONE:
4

COLOUR:
Pink

HEIGHT:
100-150 cm

SPREAD:
50-60 cm

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Growing and Maintenance Tips:

Grows in a well-drained soil, in full sun. Highly adaptable and may take over small gardens. Naturally found in open woods, rocky or sandy prairies, roadsides, along railroads and waste places. Established plants are very drought-tolerant due to their deep taproots.

Additional Notes about Showy Tick Trefoil:

Native to Ontario

When potential pollinators land on a flower, the petals close on the insect. The flower shoots pollen over the pollinator's body to ensure pollination of the next flower visited.

Seeds are held in hairy pods and dispersed by sticking to animals' fur (and hikers' clothing).

Characteristics & Attributes

Full Sun

Attracts Butterflies

Attracts Hummingbirds

Fast

Native to Ontario

Drought Tolerant

SOIL MOISTURE:
Average to Dry Soils
Well-drained

FLOWERING TIME:
Lt. Sum-Fall
Summer

HABIT:
Clumping

FOLIAGE COLOR:
Green

LANDSCAPE USES:
Naturalizing
Roadside planting
Rooftop (extensive)