TICK-TREFOIL BLOOMS IN MORRIS PARK

Desmodium nudiflorum

Naked-flowered Tick-trefoil (Desmodium nudiflorum) blooms in Morris Park, Philadelphia
Naked-flowered Tick-trefoil (Desmodium nudiflorum) blooms in Morris Park, Philadelphia

In just one small spot this native wildflower blooms in the middle of the summer when there is little else blooming. It sends up a leafless stalk and blooms away for a couple of weeks.

Naked-flowered Tick-trefoil (Desmodium nudiflorum) blooms in Morris Park, Philadelphia
Naked-flowered Tick-trefoil (Desmodium nudiflorum) blooms in Morris Park, Philadelphia

The leaves grow separately from the flower stalk, giving this plant its common name, the Naked- flowered Tick Trefoil.  Every summer  we have fun finding this shy sylvan beauty flowering in its habitat.  Its flowering marks the peak of summer.  When it is done, the most subtle hints of fall begin.