The Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis) is also known as prairie mimosa plant. The Illinois bundleflower is a perennial herb and wildflower that is native to most of the eastern and central United State. The prairie mimosa plant is a great plant for native, wildflower, and prairie gardens as well as forage and food for livestock and wildlife.

  Prairie mimosa plant facts

The Illinois bundleflower are native perennial herbs. This plant can grow up to 3 feet (90 cm.) tall. The plant flowers are small and round with white petals. While the plant leaves are like other members of the mimosa family; compound, alternate and bipinnate. Giving the plant leaves a fern-like appearance. The plant is a legume, it can enrich the soil with nitrogen. You will mostly see prairie mimosa plant growing in meadows or prairies, in disturbed areas, along roadsides, and also generally in any type of grasslands. The prairie mimosa plant prefers full sun and soil that drains well and is dry to medium dry. Illinois bundleflower tolerates drought and many types of soil.

Growing Illinois bundleflower

Grow Illinois bundleflower for wildlife for forage, or as part of a native prairie garden. The prairie mimosa plant is not the best choice for more formal beds or for shady, wet, and forested areas. All kinds of animals eat prairie mimosa plant and the seeds are a very good source of protein for all kinds of livestock and wild animals. The prairie mimosa plant also provides cover for smaller wildlife. If you want to grow the prairie mimosa plant, it is very easy to start from seed. The seeds are very easy to find. Make sure you sow the seeds to a depth of a little less than an inch (2 cm.) in spring. Make sure you water regularly until the seeds sprout and grow larger. Once the plant is established the plant is a low maintenance plant. If the plant is grown in the right conditions with drier soil and also in full sun, you don’t need to do much to keep the plant growing. Actually pests and disease are minor issues with Illinois bundleflower.


 

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