Illinois Bundleflower
Common Names:Illinois Bundleflower
Other Names: Donkey Bean, Prickle Weed,
Scientific(Latin)Name:Desmanthus llinoensis
Plant family:Fabaceae
http://www.southeasternflora.com/view_flora.asp?plantid=883# http://michiganflora.net/species_images/large/9020.jpg
http://azarius.net/images/resize/detail/dillinoensis.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/62/Desmanthus_illinoensis_seeds.jpg
http://www.catnapin.com/WildFlowers/Flowers-W/wwBall.htp
http://www.outsidepride.com/seed/flower-seed/illinois-bundleflower.html
http://grownative.org/native-plant-info/seedling-identification/illinois-bundleflower/
http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/~kenr/prairiephotos/dalepurp.root.jpg
The juvenile plant of the Illinois Bundle Flower The seedling plant of the Illinois Bundle Flower. The Characteristics on the Illinois Bundle Flower
Interesting Facts: There can be up to 8-12 pairs of even Pinnate leaves. They can't tolerate heat. In the heat the leaves close up.
In the heat the leaves close up to save water, and energy. The leaves are prickly.
The term " Donkey Bean" comes from Central America where Desmanthus is highly regarded as a fodder for donkeys which are valued domestic drought animals.
Flowers produce cluster flat scythe shaped pods each about 1 to 1.5 inches long and containing 2 to 6 seeds.The pods generaily spilt open at maturing and brown seed are exposed or at least a position to be scattered by wind or wildlife.
The Bundleflower was a minor medical plant for the Native Americans.
The Ohmaha and Ponca tribes called it Rattle Plant because the seeds in the pods were used by children for rattles.
The Pawnees used the boiled leaves to make a wash that relieved itching.
Reid says that Demanthus Virgatus ranges from "leggy" plants in the humid tropics to compact bushes in the semi-arid zones.
Threats: Rabbits, rodents, grass hoppers, and leaf hoppers are the main threats to Illinois Bundle flower. 30% of the wetlands go away a year,
so the bundle flower is becoming endangered. Poor tolerance of medium and heavy shade. Leaves are sensitive to external stimuli.
Grass fires will kill seeds on the soil surface. Low D.M production.
Characteristics: About 2-4 feet tall. High rate of seed production. It has a smooth and bushy feeling. The root is a tap-root.
Numerous, tiny paired leaflets appearing fern like. Germination is greatly enhanced by seeds scarification. Unlike many prairies perennials, the Illinois Bundle flower sets seedling its first year of growth. Produces a flat sickle -shaped pod that persist into winter. Leaves are senstive to tough. Flowers have white petals with yellow anthers. Each flower has fine,long stem that provide a fuzzy appearance. Plants are smooth and bushy and produce small round flower clusters.
Habitat: This plant is native to prairies, river banks, and fields; prefers sandy, loamy and clay soils; requires drained soil; cannot be grown in the shade. Mostly in sandy habitats can find it in black soil prairies.
Bloom period: June-August/mid July
Bibliography:www.discover life.org,plants.USDA.gov,Wikipedia,the land institute, Forestry images, Tropical Forages, U.S.D.A NRCS Plant Guide, Guide to Kansas plants, Prairie Moon Nursery, Seed ID guide, Erowid Desmanthus Ilinoenois/
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQW1iQejI71BT7LB9MjUBwdh_pz11QnhlmoQ1THcN4Z8uAos768
(Disclaimer-The information in the Prairie Plant Guide was collected and composed by the 5th graders, we apologize for an inaccuracies.)
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Comments (16)
cagebel said
at 9:00 am on Jan 17, 2014
we should add a picture of the seeds. a good place for the picture of the seeds is on wikipedia.
Elthrondson said
at 9:19 am on Jan 22, 2014
there is now a picture of seeds
ctemple said
at 7:55 am on Jan 24, 2014
@Cagabel Actually you could go to GrowNative.com
Elthrondson said
at 9:19 am on Jan 22, 2014
good job peeps we got it done any advice on changes
Elthrondson said
at 9:21 am on Jan 22, 2014
personally I think we need juvenile Ethan thinks roots
Elthrondson said
at 9:41 am on Jan 22, 2014
scratch that the pics wont work mabey you can try
ctemple said
at 7:45 am on Jan 24, 2014
@Elthrondson
what should we try?
cagebel said
at 9:18 am on Jan 24, 2014
but brooke and i are not done yet. plus add your bibliography, just add yours and DON'T erase.
ctemple said
at 7:42 am on Jan 29, 2014
don't you think we should add a pic of the full plant with the roots into our doc?
Elthrondson said
at 9:35 am on Jan 29, 2014
well i dont know but i think you mean a diagram of the full plant i'll see what i can do :)
Elthrondson said
at 9:42 am on Jan 29, 2014
scratch that done
busher said
at 8:57 am on Jan 30, 2014
me and carli think the pics could be a little smaller
busher said
at 9:10 am on Jan 30, 2014
we think the colors are hard to read and 3rd block took a vote and we all agreed that it is to much
Elthrondson said
at 9:48 am on Jan 30, 2014
we did not do the colors mabye someone else did it
busher said
at 9:18 am on Jan 30, 2014
number your pics and soures
eorthaus said
at 9:42 am on Jan 30, 2014
You need sight your picture of the plant.
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