Desmodium spp., commonly known as Beggars lice is a woody trailing legume in the Fabaceae family. There are dozens of species and there is indecision in the taxonomic world in defining the genus. This plant can be used as a living mulch or green manure as they are able to improve soil fertility via nitrogen fixation. They can also be used as livestock fodder. The hairy seedpods readily cling to fur and clothing so both animals and humans unwittingly spread their seeds. They germinate readily and can become weedy. Beggarlice are herbaceous perennials that may grow 2 to 4 feet tall. The leaves are alternate and trifoliate with hooked hairs on the underside. Flowers vary in color from white to violet. The herb produces a triangular seed that sticks like a tick. Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating. Regions: Mountain, Piedmont, Coastal Plains Seasons of Interest: Blooms: Late summer Nut/Fruit/Seed: Fall
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Erect
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Oblong; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Leathery
Leaf value
Edible
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Beggars lice has alternate, trifoliate, compound leaves, light green above and whitish green below, which have prominent veins with fine hooked hairs. Leaflets are up to 3½" long and 1" across, lanceolate-oblong or lanceolate-ovate, with smooth margins, and a leathery texture. The base of a leaflet is rounded, while the tip is usually blunt.
Flower color
Purple/Lavender; White
Flower form
Raceme
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
The central stem of the Beggars lice flower terminates in an elongated raceme of pale purple or white flowers about ½–1½' long. Usually, only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time. Flowers are attractive to some pollinators. Blooms in late summer.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit color
Green
Fruit type
Legume
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit detail
Legume hairy seed pod in triangular form which readily clings to fur and clothing so both animals and humans unwittingly spread their seeds. They germinate readily and can become weedy.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
The stem is green, erect, pubescent, with clusters of pink or rose-purple flowers.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Tropics & Subtropics to North America
Wildlife value
They make a quality food source for bobwhite, turkey, grouse, and deer. This is a larval host plant for many species of butterfly. Silver-Spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) appears from May-September with three-four broods in the deep south, two broods in the east, and one brood in the north and west. Hoary Edge (Achalarus lyciades) has two broods from April-September in most of its range, one brood from June-August in the north. Northern Cloudywing (Thorybes pylades) broods from May-July in the north, earlier in the south and two broods from March-September in Texas. Southern Cloudywing (Thorybes bathyllus) which has two broods (possibly three) from June-early October in most of its range, one brood mid-June-mid-July in the north. Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus) has three to four flights from February-November in the south and two flights from May-September in the north. Eastern Tailed-Blue (Everes comyntas) has many broods from February-November. In the winter, its seeds serve as a food source for songbirds, quail, and small mammals.
Attracts
Butterflies; Hummingbirds; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds