Showy Tick Trefoil

About Showy Tick Trefoil

Showy Tick Trefoil lives up to its name by providing one of the most prolific and beautiful floral displays of all the native legumes. This robust perennial stands 3 to 6 feet tall, featuring sturdy stems and the classic three-parted leaves typical of the genus. In July and August, the upper half of the plant is transformed by large, elongated clusters of bright pinkish-purple, pea-like flowers. Native to moist prairies, thickets, and riverbanks across eastern North America, it is a powerhouse for supporting local ecosystems. It is a preferred nectar source for butterflies and hummingbirds, and serves as a host plant for the Eastern Tailed-Blue and Hoary Edge butterflies. While its 'tick' seeds are famous for hitching a ride on clothing and fur, they are also a high-energy food for wild turkeys and upland birds. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and medium-moisture soils. This is a fast-growing, competitive species that is ideal for larger meadow plantings where it can roam and provide a sea of summer color.