Shop Products
Houzz Logo Print
bob_71

Trefoil as a host plant.

bob_71
12 years ago

I have been growing a native legume for the last two years that intrigues me. It is Showy Tick Trefoil and is reputed to be a host plant for the following butterflies, Silver Spotted Skipper, Long-tailed Skipper, Hoary Edge, Clouded Sulphur, Northern Cloudywing and Eastern Tailed Blue. So far it has (to my knowledge) served only the Sulphur. It is a low growing beast that spreads quickly each year to about six feet in all directions. The intriguing thing to me are the many-colored blooms that are small but very pretty. It is the "weed" that in my youth we called "Beggar's Ticks". The seeds might be recognizable to many of you as the hitchhiker that you once brought home on all your clothes.

Bob

{{gwi:526872}}

{{gwi:526874}}

{{gwi:526876}}

{{gwi:526878}}

Comments (2)

  • bettyd_z7_va
    12 years ago

    Love the flowers, but hate the little hitch-hikers.

    Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos.

    Betty

  • imabirdnut
    12 years ago

    Great Pictures!!!
    So Bob...do you have seeds to share?
    It is listed as a native here in Texas but I've never seen it! It is listed as a host plant on the Dallas Butterfly site for Eastern Tailed Blue & Long Tailed Skipper.
    Thanks for sharing!

Sponsored
Steadfast Construction
Average rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars34 Reviews
Arlington County's Experienced Custom Deck Builder I Best of Houzz