Smooth Ticktrefoil
Desmodium laevigatum
Last reviewed: June 2026
Light
part sun
Water
low
Size
12"–36" H × 6"–18" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AL, AR, DE, FL and 16 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
Smooth ticktrefoil is a native perennial with three-leaflet foliage and small pink to purple flowers that bloom through summer. This drought-tolerant wildflower grows in a clumping habit and dies back to the ground each winter.
In an HOA neighborhood
Smooth Ticktrefoil 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.
- Sticky seed pods create mess and cling to people and pets
- Can appear weedy and informal in structure
- May spread and look unkempt in formal landscapes
Wildlife value
The summer blooms attract native bees and butterflies, while the seeds provide food for birds and small mammals.
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 Smooth Ticktrefoil fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.