Plant Details

Desmanthus illinoensis

Prairie Mimosa, Illinois bundleflower

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Desmanthus illinoensis.

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Common names

11 names · 9 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Illinois bundleflower[1]
  • Prairie Mimosa[1]
Other languages (8)
Dutch
  • Prairie mimosa
French
  • Mimosa des prairies[1]
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 伊利诺合欢草[1]
Finnish
  • preeriapuntikki[1]
Japanese
  • アメリカゴウカン[1]
  • ハイクサネム[1]
Russian
  • Десмантус иллинойский[1]
Slovak
  • desmant illinoiský[1]
Thai
  • ไมยราบอิลลินอยส์[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Desmanthus illinoensis — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Illinois bundleflower — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 128701; Desmanthus illinoensis.
  • prairie mimosa — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 128701; Desmanthus illinoensis.
  • アメリカゴウカン — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 128701; Desmanthus illinoensis.
  • ハイクサネム — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 128701; Desmanthus illinoensis.
  • 伊利诺合欢草 — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 128701; Desmanthus illinoensis.
  • ไมยราบอิลลินอยส์ — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 128701; Desmanthus illinoensis.
  • Десмантус иллинойский — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 128701; Desmanthus illinoensis.
  • Mimosa des prairies — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 128701; Desmanthus illinoensis.
  • preeriapuntikki — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 128701; Desmanthus illinoensis.
  • desmant illinoiský — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 128701; Desmanthus illinoensis.

General information

Scientific name: Desmanthus illinoensis
Accepted name (Kew): Desmanthus illinoensis (Michx.) MacMill. ex B.L.Rob. & Fernald View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Fabaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Desmanthus (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Prairie Mimosa, Illinois bundleflower

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 1.30 m
Spread: 1.30 m
Growth rate: None
Foliage: None

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4-8
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Seed
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(1)
Functions:
Nitrogen fixer

Description

The cooked seeds of this plant are rich in protein but have little flavor. The seed pods are about 25 mm long and contain 3-5 small seeds. In nature, they are easily dispersed, but if they are seen as a valuable crop in this country, they should be produced freely here.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/09
Harvest ends: 15/10

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 788801; name ID 2761905; Desmanthus Willd.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1371977; name ID 2761939; Desmanthus illinoensis (Michx.) MacMill. ex B.L.Rob. & Fernald.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Desmanthus illinoensis

    Taxonomic data from WCVP-Fabaceae, version 2026, v.7, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. This shares the Kew WCVP evidence base cited on this page.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 5296843, ID VLQSR: Desmanthus illinoensis (Michx.) MacMill. ex B.L.Rob. & Fernald (accepted).

    Source checked on .