How much sun does Stiff Tick Trefoil need?

Stiff Tick Trefoil grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Stiff Tick Trefoil bloom?

Stiff Tick Trefoil blooms in July, August, and September.

Where is Stiff Tick Trefoil native?

Stiff Tick Trefoil (Desmodium obtusum) is native to AL, AR, FL, GA and 13 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Stiff Tick Trefoil attract?

Stiff Tick Trefoil draws bees, butterflies, and beetles.

Is Stiff Tick Trefoil HOA-friendly?

Stiff Tick Trefoil takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Stiff Tick Trefoil

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Desmodium obtusum

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Stiff Tick Trefoil (Desmodium obtusum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

12"–36" H × 6"–18" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, FL, GA and 13 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Cross Timbers South Central Plains Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Piedmont Northeastern Coastal Zone Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Alluvial Plain Southern Coastal Plain Southern Florida Coastal Plain Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Stiff tick-trefoil is a compact native wildflower with three-leaflet leaves and small pink to purple pea-like flowers that bloom from midsummer through early fall. The plant forms neat clumps and produces segmented seed pods that can stick to clothing and fur. It's drought tolerant once established and works well in prairie gardens or naturalized areas.

In an HOA neighborhood

Stiff Tick Trefoil 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.

Seed pods stick to clothing creating maintenance complaints
Can appear weedy or unkempt to conventional landscaping standards
May spread beyond intended areas

Wildlife value

The flowers attract various bees, butterflies, and beetles throughout the summer blooming period. Seeds provide food for birds and small mammals.

Common questions

How much sun does Stiff Tick Trefoil need?: Stiff Tick Trefoil grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Stiff Tick Trefoil bloom?: Stiff Tick Trefoil blooms in July, August, and September.
Where is Stiff Tick Trefoil native?: Stiff Tick Trefoil (Desmodium obtusum) is native to AL, AR, FL, GA and 13 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Stiff Tick Trefoil attract?: Stiff Tick Trefoil draws bees, butterflies, and beetles.
Is Stiff Tick Trefoil HOA-friendly?: Stiff Tick Trefoil takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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