Illinois ticktrefoil facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Illinois ticktrefoil |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Desmodium
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| Species: |
illinoense
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| Synonyms | |
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Meibomia illinoensis (A. Gray) Kuntze |
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The Desmodium illinoense, also known as the Illinois ticktrefoil, is a cool flowering plant. It belongs to the bean family, which scientists call Fabaceae. You can find this plant growing naturally in the central United States and in Ontario, Canada. The Illinois ticktrefoil loves sunny places. It often grows in open areas like prairies and oak savannas. These are common in the Great Plains and Great Lakes regions.
Contents
What Does the Illinois Ticktrefoil Look Like?
The Illinois ticktrefoil is a plant that lives for many years. It usually has one main stem. This stem can grow quite tall, up to 1.2 meters (about 4 feet). Most of the plant is covered with tiny, hooked hairs. These hairs are sticky! They can even make the leaves stick together.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this plant are special. Each leaf is made up of three smaller leaflets. This is why they are called "trifoliate" leaves. Each leaflet can be up to 6.3 centimeters (about 2.5 inches) long. They are usually rounded with a flat or blunt tip.
The flowers are also interesting. The green parts that protect the flower bud are called the calyx. These calyx lobes are usually the same length or longer than the flower's main tube, called the corolla tube. The flowers grow in a cluster at the top of the stem. This cluster is called an inflorescence. It usually does not have branches. The flowers can be white or pink. They often have a few white spots near their center.
Seed Pods
After the flowers bloom, the plant makes special seed pods. These pods are broken into sections. Each section is called a loment. The outer part of the fruit squeezes in between each seed. This makes it easy for the pod to break apart into individual pieces when it is ripe.
Just like the rest of the plant, these seed sections are covered with hooked hairs. These hairs help the seeds travel far! They can easily stick to animal fur or people's clothes. This allows the seeds to be carried a long distance before they fall to the ground and start to grow.
Where Does the Illinois Ticktrefoil Grow?
The Illinois ticktrefoil mostly grows naturally in the prairies of the midwestern United States. The main area where it grows is in the states of Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa.
Northern Range
The northern edge of its natural home includes southeastern Minnesota. You can find it from the Twin Cities area south. In Minnesota, it grows in full sun or partial shade. It prefers sandy or gravelly soils found in savannas, hillside prairies, and open barrens. You can also spot it in openings of oak woods, on sand dunes, and in thickets.
Sadly, in Minnesota, the Illinois ticktrefoil is listed as a threatened species. This means that the few remaining groups of these plants are very small. It is important to protect them!
