SCIENTIFIC NAME: Desmanthus illinoensis
COMMON NAMES: Illinois Bundle Flower, Prairie Bundle-flower, Prairie Mimosa
BLOOM TIME: July, Aug
PLANT PROFILE:
- Of 2 species of mimosa this one grows in Illinois.
- It grows to a bushy 4 ft. plant.
- Dissected paired leaves give a fern-like appearance.
- Small round flower clusters have long stamens and so look “fuzzy”.
- After flowering, flowerheads replaced by clusters of rattling seedpods.
- Habitat: moist, black soil prairies.
- Planted in pastures to feed cattle.
- Used in prairie restoration to improve soil.
- Children of some tribes used dried seed pods as rattles.
- Pawnee used boiled leaves to relieve itching.
INSECT/ANIMAL INTERACTIONS:
Flowerheads are occasionally visited by small bees & flies seeking nectar & pollen.
Medium-sized seeds are consumed by various upland gamebirds, including Ring-Necked Pheasant, Bobwhite Quail, & Greater Prairie Chicken.
Foliage of plant is highly palatable to mammalian herbivores because of its high protein content.