(Desmanthus illinoensis) ILLINOIS BUNDLE FLOWER

[joel]

Does anyone know about this plant?

Desmanthus illinoensis​

Desmanthus illinoensis (Michx.) MacMill. ex B.L. Rob. & Fernald​

Illinois Bundleflower, Bundleflower, Prairie Bundle Flower, Prickleweed, Illinois Desmanthus, Prairie Mimosa​

Fabaceae (Pea Family)​

Synonym(s): Acuan illinoense, Mimosa illinoensis​

USDA Symbol: deil​

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)​

One to several erect stems grow from the base to 1-3 ft. (sometimes up to 5 ft.) in height. The leaves are twice pinnately compound. Six to 15 pinnae each have 20-30 leaflets. Leaves fold in strong sunlight and when touched. Small, ball-shaped clusters of greenish flowers occur on axillary stalks. An erect plant with ball-like clusters of small, whitish or greenish flowers on tall stalks rising in axils of compound leaves. Flat, leathery, twisted seedpods follow.

The somewhat similar Prairie Acacia (Acaciella angustissima) has fruit 1 1/2-3" (4-8 cm) long. Prairie Mimosa and Prairie Acacia are nutritious range plants, high in protein.

 

[joel]

https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_t...flower is edible and,wash out in the morning.

 

[joel]

 

[joel]

Botanical Information 9​

The bundleflower is white and has a unique round seed pod. It has compound leaves and spreads readily by seed.

Ecological Information 9​

Illinois bundleflower grows in North America on grass. It is a common plant in many areas of the south-central and Midwestern US, and is found in the Bosque as well. Raccoons and other animals enjoy eating the bundleflower.

Ethnobotanical Information 10​

The bundleflower is edible and medicinal. The seeds can be cooked and eaten. They are high in protein but lacking in flavor. The bundleflower was used to treat trachoma by the Pauite people who would place five seeds in the eye overnight and then wash out in the morning. A decoction of the leaves was used by the Pawnee tribes as a wash for itchy skin. (Note: Such reports often lack important contextual information and relevant traditional ecological knowledge.)

 

[joel]

https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_t...flower is edible and,wash out in the morning.

https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/prairie-mimosa

 

[Peanut]

I haven't seen either of the above plants. However, there is a small thorny vine here in the southeast that's very similar and seems to be a cousin of your plant. It's in the same genus. But it's blooms are pink just like mimosa... It's latin name is "Mimosa nuttallii" aka Sensitive briar. It's little leaves will fold up when touched like your plant.

And it's also a cousin of the Acacia tree in Africa. It looks very similar to both plants you posted. I've searched for medicinal data on my thorny vine... found nothing but know that Africa's Acacia tree is used for headaches.