About Desmanthus velutinus Scheele
Desmanthus velutinus Scheele, a species of flowering plant in the legume family, has the common name velvet bundleflower. It is native to New Mexico and Texas in the United States, and Coahuila in Mexico, and it may also grow in Oklahoma. This species is a perennial herb that produces spreading stems up to two feet long. Its blue-green leaves are 3 to 4 inches long, and divided into several pairs of leaflets. It produces white flowers, and its fruit is a straight pod that grows up to three inches long. This plant grows on calcareous soils like limestone, and does not grow in wet areas. It is used as forage for livestock including sheep and goats. Wildlife such as deer graze on the plant, and birds like quail eat its seeds. It can be planted to reduce erosion, and it is often included as an ingredient in seed mixes used for range improvement.
