Desmanthus illinoensis It is a hardy perennial herb growing from 0.3 - 1.0 meters tall, having the typically familiar mimosa-like foliage. The somewhat woody, erect, smooth stems are strongly angled and branch from the base of the plant. The leaves are from 3.5-10.0 cm long including the petiole, oblong or subulate, have an oblique base, apiculate apex, threadlike stipules, and ciliate or entire margins. The woody fruit (seed pods) are crescent shaped, borne in clusters, containing 2 to 5 seeds each and are easily recognized. The seed pods are also popular in floral arrangements as they are quite unusual in shape and very attractive. The fruit ranges from 1.0-2.5 cm long, by 4.0-5.0 cm long. The pods ripen in early fall and will last all winter. Seeds are hard, flat, brown in color, ovate to 3-sided in shape. Sizes range from 2.8-4.2 mm in length. Desmanthus illinoensis is native to
North America from North Dakota to Texas, west to Colorado and east to Ohio
and Kentucky. These plants grow naturally in small patches scattered throughout
the prairie. They also grow well in disturbed soil such as in waste areas,
and along roadsides where many patches appear to thrive despite regular mowing.
These plants tend to like ample sources of water if available and will even
grow in floodplains. They are often found on rocky, open or wooded slopes.
Desmanthus absolutely requires full sun shine. Provide adequate moisture but let the soil dry completely between waterings. These plants need a great deal of root space so they will not do as well in containers as in the ground. Traditionally the leaves of this plant were used as food and are quite nutritious, reportedly very high in protein. Some people use a flour made from the foliage to bake into cookies. The Pawnee made a decoction from the leaves to be used externally to relieve skin itching. This tribe also used the seed pods as rattles for their children, who used them to mimic the adults traditional dances. The Moapa Paiute used 5 seeds as a treatment for chronic conjunctivitis, putting the seeds in the affected persons eye overnight, and washing them out with clear water the next morning. A great deal of research has been conducted in the last few years on growing this species as a cultivated plant to be used as a potential food crop. This shrub is already known as one of the most important native legumes in the Midwestern United States for use as a livestock feed. 25 Desmanthus illinoensis seeds -
$2.99 50 Desmanthus illinoensis seeds -
$4.99
This plant was first named and described to occidental science in 1803, thanks to the work of the French, Botanist-explorer, Michaux. This species is named illinoensis due to the fact that the first specimens were collected in what was then Illinois territory. ![]()