Panicled Tick-clover
Desmodium paniculatum
Last reviewed: June 2026
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
24"–48" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AL, AR, DE, FL and 21 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, beetles
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Panicled tick-clover is a native prairie perennial that produces delicate purple flowers on branching stems from summer into fall. This upright wildflower forms clumps and can spread gradually to create naturalized colonies in sunny areas.
In an HOA neighborhood
Panicled Tick-clover takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Looks weedy and unkempt when dormant
- Informal wildflower appearance may be considered messy
- Seeds can stick to clothing and pets
Wildlife value
Host plant for silver-spotted skipper, long-tailed skipper.
The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and beetles throughout the long blooming season. Seeds provide food for birds, and the foliage serves as a host plant for several butterfly species.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Panicled Tick-clover fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.