Desmodium

This large group consists of about three hundred hardy and tender, herbaceous perennials and deciduous shrubs from tropical countries and North America. These shrubs are commonly known as Tick Trefoil. D. tiliifolium is a small to medium-sized, semi-woody shrub. Its erect stems are clothed with leaves consisting of three leaflets. In the summer, large panicles of pale lilac flowers are borne. These are followed by flattened, lobed seedpods. D. motorium (Telegraph Plant) is an interesting, tender plant with leaves that move, as if it was signaling, thus the common name. Young plants show the most movement, so it is best to raise them annually in the spring.

Pot Cultivation

The hardy kinds can be grown in any good, well-drained soil, in a sunny location. The tender varieties should be grown in equal parts of peat and loam, with sand added. They need a minimum temperature of 55� F.

Propagation

Seeds can be sown in pots of sandy soil. The seedlings should be potted separately in 3-inch pots and later, in 5-inch pots. Cuttings may be inserted in sandy soil in a propagating case. When they've formed roots, they are treated as seedlings. The hardy kinds can be lifted and the roots divided.