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Family: Fabaceae (Legume / Pea family)
Mid-Atlantic bloom time:
July - August
Mid-Atlantic fruit ripe:
August - October
Naked-flowered Tick-trefoil has individual flowers that are slightly less than 1 cm in diameter.
The genus Hylodesmum (Forest Tick-trefoils) was separated from Desmodium in 2000 after determining that a large number of species in that former genus formed a monophyletically distinct clade sufficiently different from other species in Desmodium to warrant elevation to genus level. The new genus name is derived from Greek 'hyle' (meaning forest), and 'desmos' (meaning a chain, and as abbreviated form of Desmodium).1. The common name 'naked-flowered' (and species name nudiflorum) refers to the lack of leaves on the flowering stalk. The common term 'tick' derives from their triangular seeds which (when ripe) cling to clothes or fur to hitchhike to a new location.
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5 July 2012
Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA 
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5 July 2012
Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA 
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23 July 2014
Conway Robinson Memorial State Forest, Gainesville, VA (reproductive structures visible on upper flower) 
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23 July 2014
Conway Robinson Memorial State Forest, Gainesville, VA (showing maturing seeds) 
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15 July 2023
Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA 
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18 August 2022
Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas, VA 
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18 August 2022
Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas, VA 
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References
1: H. Ohashi, R. R. Mill. "Hylodesmum, A New Name for Podocarpium (Leguminosae)". Edinburgh Journal of Botany, 57:2, p. 171-188. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 2000.