Desmanthus illinoensis

Desmanthus illinoensis (commonly known as Illinois bundleflower, prairie-mimosa or prickleweed) is a common plant in many areas of the south central and Midwestern US.

Desmanthus illinoensis
Desmanthus illinoensis
Desmanthus illinoensis flower heads
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Rosids
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Desmanthus
Species:
D. illinoensis
Binomial name
Desmanthus illinoensis
(Michx.) MacMill. ex B. L. Rob. & Fernald[1]
Synonyms[2]
  • Acacia brachyloba Willd.
  • Acacia glandulosa (Michx.) Willd.
  • Acuan glandulosa (Michx.) A. Heller
  • Acuan glandulosum (Michx.) A.Heller
  • Acuan illinoense (Michx.) Kuntze
  • Darlingtonia brachyloba (Willd.) DC.
  • Darlingtonia glandulosa (Michx.) DC.
  • Darlingtonia intermedia Torr.
  • Desmanthus brachylobus (Willd.) Benth.
  • Desmanthus falcatus Scheele
  • Desmanthus illinoensis (Michx.) Robinson & Fernald
  • Mimosa brachyloba (Willd.) Eaton
  • Mimosa contortuplicata Zuccagni
  • Mimosa glandulosa Michx.
  • Mimosa illinoensis Michx.

Habitat

It can often be found growing on the sides of roads, needing full sun and ample moisture during its short growing season.

USDA Zones 5-8 are recommended for outside cultivation.

Chemistry

Root bark of D. illinoensis has been found to contain N,N-DMT, NMT, N-hydroxy-N-methyltryptamine, 2-hydroxy-N-methyltryptamine, and gramine (toxic).

Nutritional benefits

The plant is nutritious and high in protein.[3]

Desmanthus illinoensis seeds

The Land Institute in Salina, Kansas has done extensive research into the food uses of the seeds of this plant. Studies found the dry seeds composed of 38% protein, compared to 40% for soybeans.[4]





Ayahuasca analogue

The root bark is mixed with a native source of beta-Carbolines (e.g., passion flower in North America) to produce a hallucinogenic drink called prairiehuasca, which is an analog of the shamanic brew ayahuasca.[5]

See also

References
  1. "Desmanthus illinoensis". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 2008-04-27.
  2. "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  3. Niering, William A.; Olmstead, Nancy C. (1985) [1979]. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, Eastern Region. Knopf. p. 527. ISBN 0-394-50432-1.
  4. "Illinois Bundleflower: Prospects For A Perennial Seed Crop". landinstitute.org. Retrieved 2017-05-08.
  5. Hegnauer, R.; Hegnauer, M. (1996). Caesalpinioideae und Mimosoideae Volume 1 Part 2. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 199. ISBN 9783764351656.


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