Guide to tick-trefoils, genus Desmodium
(Three of these are now in the genus Hylodesmum)

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​Tick-trefoils, or sticktights, are legumes with three leaflets to each leaf. Bean-like seeds are called loments, each with several segments.
With one exception listed below, local members of this group have pink-purple flowers. 

Hoary tick-trefoil (Desmodium canescens)   Characterized by very sticky-hairy stems and yellow-green leaves; loments have 4 to 6 segments.

Large-bracted tick-trefoil (Desmodium cuspidatum)     Our largest species grows to 6 feet tall, with a branching inflorescence at the top. Loments have 3 to 7 segments.

Naked-flowered tick-trefoil (Hylodesmum nudiflorum)   Easily recognized by the tall, leafless flowering stalk arising separately from the nearby leaves. 2 to 4 deeply cut segments.

​Panicled tick-trefoil (Desmodium paniculatum)     Linear, petioled rounded leaves characterize this bushy species. 3 to 6 segments.

Pointed-leaf tick-trefoil (Hylodesmum  glutinosum)   The terminal leaflets are large, round, and pointed. Flower stallks arise from the branched lower leafy stems. 1 to 4 well-separated  segments.

​Round-leaf tick-trefoil (Desmodium rotundifolium)   This species is easily identified by its round leaves and prostrate form. 3 to 6 rounded segments.

Sessile-leaved tick-trefoil  (Desmodium sessilifolium)   Narrow leaflets are stemless (sessile) on this tall plant of dry soils. 1 to 3 segments.

Small-leaved tick- trefoil  (Desmodium ciliare) Identified by oval, one-inch leaflets. 1 to 3 rounded segments.

Velvety tick-trefoil (Desmodium viridiflorum)     Large, triangular leaflets are densely hairy, sticking to clothes like Velcro. Prefers open woods; 3 to 5 segments.

​White tick-trefoil (Hylodesmum pauciflorum)  Our only local species with white flowers. 1 to 3 deeply-cut segments.