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Schrankia
nuttallii
Cat's
Claw Sensitive
Description:
A
sprawling or arched perennial herb that bears many
short recurved prickles. Stems are up to 4' long,
with alternate, doubly compound leaves on prickly
stalks. The numerous individual leaflets are less
than 1/2" long. Ball-shaped flower heads resembling
miniature fireworks explosions occur on 2-3"
prickly stalks along the stems. Theses heads are a
dense cluster of flowers whose showiness is largely
due to the 8-10 protruding, magenta-pink,
yellow-tipped stamens per flower.
Late
spring-summer.
Comments:
The
sensitive leaflets rapidly fold together when
contacted. The stem prickles are painful if caught
between the toes of those running barefoot,
prompting children to call this plant Devil's
Shoestring.
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Desmodium
illinoense
Illinois
Tickclover
Description:
Illinois
tickclover is a hairy, erect, perennial herb that
grows up to 3' 6" tall, with a slender taproot.
Stems are mostly unbranched and covered with a
mixture of tiny glandular and hook-shaped hairs
that stick to clothing when pressed against it.
Leaves are alternate, distinctly stalked with 3
lance-shaped to egg-shaped leaflets, and 2 1/2"-6"
long. Flowers are 5-parted; the petals are mostly
pink to purplish, the upper one prominent and often
with a purplish spot near the base.
Summer-fall.
Comments:
Tickclovers
are well known to hikers, hunters, and dog owners.
The fruits cling to clothing and fur like small
ticks.
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