Desmanthus illinoensis
Family: Fabaceae
Annual. Native to the American prairies. Good dryland nitrogen
fixer and erosion control plant. Decorative seedpods. The plant
has recently gained notoriety as it’s roots are a natural source of DMT.
Cultivation: Easy. Sow in spring. Germination
improved by scarification (seed rubbed between sheets of sandpaper or scraped
on a coarse rock) prior to planting. An application of rhizobium
inoculant to the seeds (see “Rhizobium”) is also helpful. Average
germ time 9 days. Thin to 6 inches apart. Grows 3 to 4 feet
tall.
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