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Desmodium varians

Slender Tick-trefoil

Twining prostrate or scrambling perennial herb with short hairs on weak branches.

Additional information

  • FamilyFabaceae
  • StoreyLower storey
  • Size0.2-0.5 m long
  • Plant groupingClimbers & creepers
  • LeavesLightly hairy to hairless leaves divided into 3 leaflets, lower leaves broad to roundish, 5-20 mm x 5-20 mm, tips blunt; upper leaves oblong, 1-4 cm x 5-8 mm, tips pointed. Small leaf-like stipules at base of leaves.
  • Flower colourWhite to yellowish
  • Flowering timeMost of the year esp. spring to autumn
  • FlowersLarge, loose terminal sprays to 25 cm long of 4-60 pea flowers, in pairs or 3's. Pods densely hairy.
  • Bird attractingNo
  • Butterfly attractingNo
  • Frog habitatNo
  • Growing conditionsMoist well drained soils in open forests. Dappled and semi shade.
  • Garden useA light twiner which can be planted under established trees or on a sheltered trellis.
  • Commercially availableNo information available
  • Conservation statusSignificant within the Shire. Known from very few local sites. Also uncommon outside the Shire boundary.
Photographer/s: 1, 2 Neil Blair Royal Botanic Gardens Board ©; 3-5 Colleen Miller ©

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