Illinois Bundleflower Seeds - Desmanthus illinoensis

Botanical name: Desmanthus illinoensis

Other names: Illinois Bundleflower, Prairie mimosa, Prickleweed

Family: Fabaceae

Distribution: North America

Origin : USA

Habitats

Prairies, river banks, fields

Physical characteristics

Desmanthus illinoensis is a perennial growing to 1.3 m (4ft 3in).

It is hardy to zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to July. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.It can fix Nitrogen.

Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Cultivation details

Requires a moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Plants are often found growing in clay soils in the wild. Suitable for the wild garden or other naturalistic plantings. In favourable situations this plant can self-sow to the point of nuisance. This plant is being evaluated by the Land Institute of Salina, Kansas, as an edible legume for growing with perennial grains in a non-tillage permaculture system. It is certainly worthy of more attention in this country, though the small seed size mitigates against its use. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.

Propagation

From seeds - pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in a cold frame in the spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. If you have sufficient seed then it is probably worthwhile sowing some in situ in mid to late spring.

Our Illinois Bundleflower Seeds

Our Illinois Bundleflower Seeds are higher quality because they're freshly harvested by knowledgeable family farmers, as well as they're stored in the cold and dark. It contains a high content of essential oils.

Our Illinois Bundleflower Seeds are ethically harvested by local family farmers.

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Our products are of the highest quality but they have not been certified by the FDA neither Health Canada for human consumption. Therefore, we have to specify that they cannot be sold for human consumption. They are sold for incense and soap making purposes, decorative purposes and/or legitimate ethnobotanical research. The information given about the plants is for academic purposes only and not intended to be used medically. TrancePlants, its suppliers, agents, employees and distributors cannot be held accountable for any misuse of the products offered.