How to Grow and Care for Bundleflowers

The illinois Bundleflower, or Desmanthus illinoensis, is a legume and a beneficial plant for prairie restoration and plant collecting. This unusual plant features dark green segmented leaves and white fluffy flowers that attract pollinators.

Wild tantan (Desmanthus virgatus) is a perennial, herbaceous shrub that will grow to 61 cm tall. It grows wild and is considered a weed in some areas. It blooms from spring through summer with inconspicuous, white flowers. Its dense, yellow-green foliage is similar to that of a mimosa tree. It grows best in well-drained clay, loamy or sandy soils.

This species is a perennial herb with spreading stems up to 61 cm long. The blue-green leaves are 8 to 10 cm long and are made up of several pairs of leaflets. The flower is white. The fruit is a straight pod up to 8 cm long.

Two-horn bundleflower is distinguished by its dual-spiked flowers, a characteristic that grants it the 'bicornutus' name, meaning 'two-horned'. Adapted to thrive in semi-arid environments, its deep-root system anchors it firmly and aids in water absorption. This perennial herbaceous plant typically showcases pinnate leaves and small, inconspicuous blooms that contribute to its resilience in rugged terrains.

Pigeon bundleflower is a resilient shrub with feathery, bipinnate leaves and small, ball-shaped white flowers that contribute to its delicate appearance. This plant has adapted to tropical climates with its deep-rooting system, which enables efficient access to water and nutrients. Its seed pods split open in a distinctive curl, dispersing seeds that establish pigeon bundleflower in a variety of soil conditions.