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Illinois Bundleflower, Desmanthus illinoensis, occurs in all of Texas except for far west Texas. It can be found in prairie remnants, railroad right of ways, or in small hidden places that have escaped the notice of foraging live stock and wildlife.
As a garden or landscape plant the primary attraction of Illinois Bundleflower would be its fern like foliage and its unique seed pod. I think the seed pod is actually more attractive than the foliage or the flower. The seed pods make attractive accents in dried arrangements or they can be left alone for the many birds that love the seeds. The seeds themselves are smooth and are a wonderful orangey brown that are packed with nutrition.
The flowers look like white fuzzy little balls and are very light and airy. The leaves are similar in shape to Sensitive Briar and are sensitive to the touch as well as sunlight. By tapping an individual leaf you can watch the leaflets gently fold together. The plant also partially closes its leaves during the heat of the day to conserve water and then to compensate for this loss of direct sunlight it turns its leaves toward the sun in the morning and evening to maximize the amount of moderate sunlight exposure.
The Land Institute began studying the protein potential from the seed crop of Illinois Bundleflower in 1979, and they found that the protein potential from this perennial native is equal to that of soy bean. The aspect of having perennial food crops that could be harvested every year without the cycle of plowing and planting and all the water and chemical fertilizers and petroleum products that are needed to make a seasonal harvest happen is exciting for some.
Illinois Bundleflower like the Texas Bluebonnet is a legume. Legumes are known for their nitrogen fixing ability. In a study also done by the Land Institute the nitrogen fixation of Illinois Bundleflower was found to be comparable to alfalfa and soybeans. Because of its incredible nitrogen fixing ability and high protein content it is often used in range restoration.
For such a delicate plant it sure is packed with benefits for now and the future.
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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: znobia
