Illinois Bundle Flower -- Desmanthus illinoensis

This is in a square pint pot.

Features: Fernlike leaves, starburst white and yellow flowers, and distinctive autumn seed pods make this prairie dwelling native legume a real conversation starter.

It is a member of the Mimosa family and a host plant for Northern and Southern Cloudywing Skipper butterflies. Mammals find the leaves delicious and fall seeds are favored by game birds.

The dried seed pods were used as rattles by children of the Omaha and Ponca Nations and the Pawnee people boiled the leaves for a poultice to relieve itching.

Light: Full sun

Soil: Medium to Dry

Height: Up to 5 feet

Blooms: July to August

See more information and photos at Illinois Wildflowers and USDA Plant Guides

Photos: 1 & 2 Illinois Wildflowers; 3. U of Nebraska Extension