Velvet Bundleflower

Scientific Name: Desmanthus velutinus Scheele

Plant Guide

Use a soil moisture meter to monitor the soil moisture where Velvet Bundleflower is planted.

Fact Sheet

Uses

Wildlife: Velvet bundleflower is consumed by large and small wildlife. Deer and other browsing animals can feed on the young, tender foliage. The numerous seed produced by the plant are utilized by many species, especially quail. Livestock: Velvet bundleflower has a good forage value for sheep and goats while the foliage is young and tender. After seed begins to form, the forage value becomes fair for all livestock. Erosion Control: Velvet bundleflower can be planted along field borders, railroads, and other sloping areas to reduce soil erosion from both water and wind.

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site (http://plants,usda,gov) and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e,g, threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values), Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Velvet Bundleflower.,

Weediness

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please consult your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service office, state natural resource, or state agriculture department regarding its status and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS Web site at http://www.plants.usda.gov . Please consult this and Related Web Sites and view the plant profile for this species for further information.

Description

Velvet bundleflower is a native, warm-season, perennial legume. The plant is composed of several widely spreading, smooth stems that grow two feet long. Velvet bundleflower produces a white “powder-puff” cluster shaped flower, one inch in diameter, between the months of April and June. The leaves are three to four inches long with a bluish-green tint. Numerous leaflets positioned twice pinnate make up the leaves of the velvet bundleflower. The seed from the velvet bundleflower grows in straight pods two to three inches long, and fully matures from mid July to late August.

Adaptation

Velvet bundleflower is widely adapted throughout central, south, and west Texas, as well as southern Oklahoma. It prefers calcareous and limestone soils. Velvet bundleflower does not adapt well to heavily wooded areas or areas that tend to remain wet for extended periods of time. Distribution: Please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

Establishment

Velvet bundleflower should be planted on a clean, firm seedbed. Planting can be done using either a grass drill or broadcast seeder, but grass drills are the most successful method of planting velvet bundleflower. Seed should be placed ¼ inch deep. Soil samples should be taken before planting to determine the amount of fertilizer needed to bring the fertility level up to a medium range. Limit nitrogen application to ten pounds per acre or less until the stand is established. Velvet bundleflower should be planted at a rate of 4.5 lbs pure live seed (pls) per acre. When planting this as a component of a seed mixture, the seeding rate should be adjusted to the desired percent of the mix.

Management

Velvet bundleflower is commonly found as a component in seed mixtures for range seeding and conservation cover. Stands of velvet bundleflower should be well established before livestock is permitted to graze. Once the stand is established, velvet bundleflower should never