Not A Noxious Weed!

August 01, 2007

Ample rains in April and May have given rangeland a boost. One plant that is flourishing this year is Illinois bundleflower, a native legume that is included in our CRP seed mixes for its value as a high protein food source for wildlife. Illinois bundleflower has double compound leaves that create a fern-like appearance. The leaves are touch sensitive and fold up when disturbed. Flowers are white and spherical. At this time of year, seed pods are forming, with rows laid down to form ball-shaped “bundles.” Because Illinois bundleflower is palatable to livestock, its presence in pastures indicates that overgrazing is not occurring.

The bundleflower plants in our office garden grew to over six feet tall before succumbing to the pruning shears. This exceptional growth has some operators asking if control measures are needed. The answer? Only if the bundleflower is crowding out the rest of the plants in your flower bed.