Desmanthus illinoensis

Desmanthus illinoensis

Photo by Kristen Kearns

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Prairie Mimosa Categories: ,

Description

Key Information:

Sun: Mesic (Medium) to Xeric (Dry)
Sun:
Full Sun
Height: 2-4 feet
Color: White
Bloom: July-August

More Details:

Suggested Uses: Prairie Mimosa is native to upland prairies. This unusual plant is great for restoration purposes and one for the plant collector!  It has fine-textured, feathery foliage and white flowers that resemble that of a Mimosa Tree. This wildflower is attractive to butterflies and birds are fond of the seeds.  It is a deep-rooted, drought tolerant legume.

Native Range: Native to the southern Great Plains. Minnesota is at the northern edge of its range but it is still hardy in USDA Zone 4.

Pollinators/Habitat:  Attractive to butterflies and is the host plant for Northern and Southern Cloudywing Skipper butterflies. It has a very high protein content and is desirable forage for wildlife and livestock. Birds will eat the seeds.

Flowers: Flower heads are small, about 1/2″ across and contain about 50 tiny flowers each.

Leaves: The leaves are doubly divided into tiny leaflets.

Interesting Facts:

More Information:  This plant is also related to the Sensitive Plant. The leaves fold up instantaneously when touched.  The Prairie Mimosa will fold up slowly after being touched and folds it’s leaves up at night for conservation purposes!
Other Names: Prairie Mimosa, Prickleweed, Illinois Bundleflower.

More information: USDA plant profile

Additional information

Weight 2 lbs
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Uses