Texas Wildbuds
Desmodium tweedyi
(Tweedy’s Ticktrefoil)
Desmodium tweedyi, South Llano State Park, Kimble Co. 7272
Desmodium tweedyi, South Llano State Park, Kimble Co. 7284
Desmodium tweedyi, South Llano State Park, Kimble Co. 7282
Desmodium tweedyi, South Llano State Park, Kimble Co. 7287
| Scientific Name | Desmodium tweedyi | USDA PLANTS Symbol | DETW |
| Common Name | Tweedy's Ticktrefoil | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 25382 |
| Family | Fabaceae (Pea) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Calcareous (limestone) sandy loam soils in woodlands and thickets near creeks and rivers. Plant: Perennial with one to several erect, slender stems up to 50 inches tall; stems have grooves and are covered with minute hairs. Leaves: Compound stem leaves with 3 green to dark green leaflets, each ovate to rhombic-elliptic; center leaflet 1-1/2 to 4 inches long and lateral leaflets slightly smaller; upper surfaces have irregular lighter center stripe or mottling; undersides have reticulate veins and dense, pubescent hairs; tips have a small point (mucronulate); margins are ciliate. Inflorescence: Small white flowers in racemes each on pedicels 3/8 to 7/8-inch long; pea-like flowers with corollas about 1/4 to 1/3-inch long; bell-shaped calyx is about half as long as corolla, with pointed lobes and covered with pubescent hairs. Bloom Period: June and July. Fruit: Pods are 5/8 to 1-1/4 inches long, surfaces have reticulate veins and are covered with hooked hairs. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, "Range Plants of North Central Texas" by Ricky Linex, "Shinners & Mahler’s Flora of North Central Texas" by Diggs, Lipscomb and O’Kennon and Flora of North America. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2025