Bloomipedia
Creeping beggarweed (Desmodium incanum)
Photo: natalie via iNaturalist · CC0 · resized

Flower profile

Creeping beggarweed

Desmodium incanum

Creeping beggarweed (Desmodium incanum) is a low shrub in the Fabaceae family, introduced in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly April–October across the U.S.

Introduced in the lower 48

Creeping beggarweed is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 2 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in April–October.

4states where USDA records it
2Bloomipedia state lists include it
4,025U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Florida, Hawaii

Quick look

Desmodium incanum, also known as creeping beggarweed, Spanish clover, Spanish tick-trefoil or hitchhikers is a perennial plant native to Central and South America. In Hawaiʻi it is known as kaʻimi or kaimi clover from the Hawaiian for "seeker". Initially introduced as forage crop around the world, it has spread to many places although it is no longer an important fodder crop.

  • It belongs to the Fabaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) / a subshrub with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 4 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as not native to Florida and Hawaii. NatureServe
  • In Florida, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–October. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as purple. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as indeterminate. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 4 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 3,196 research-grade sightings of it in Florida, ranking #96 among the 151 flowers on our Florida list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 680 research-grade sightings of it in Hawaii, ranking #71 among the 118 flowers on our Hawaii list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (380 records)
Bloom time in the 2 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
FloridaIntroducedApril–October3,196
HawaiiIntroducedfew records (24)680

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Florida
Not listed Not on Florida Regulated Plant Index (Fla. Admin. Code 5B-40.0055). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Florida. FAC 5B-40.0055
Hawaii
Not listed Not on Hawaii threatened and endangered plants (HAR 13-107; the state list follows the federal list), DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Hawaii. HAR 13-107
Rare elsewhere
No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleToxic (slight, per USDA)

USDA PLANTS rates its toxicity as “slight.” (USDA's rating covers people and livestock and doesn't say which parts.) NC State Extension has no page for it. USDA PLANTS

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records creeping beggarweed in 4 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Texas.

Florida counties with USDA records: Alachua, Baker, Brevard, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Jefferson, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Union, Volusia, Wakulla.

Hawaii counties with USDA records: Hawaii, Honolulu, Kauai, Maui.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Creeping beggarweed a high shade tolerance, high drought tolerance and medium moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 5.0 to 7.0 and winter lows down to 6 °F.

Shade tolerance
High
Drought tolerance
High
Moisture use
Medium
Soil textures it is adapted to
coarse, fine
Soil pH range
5.0 to 7.0
Minimum temperature tolerated
6 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum)
269
Annual precipitation range
39 to 118 inches
Minimum root depth
12 inches
Salinity tolerance
None
Fertility requirement
Low
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifespan
Short
Active growth period
Spring
Fruit or seed
Brown
Can be propagated by
cuttings, seed, sod, sprigs
Commercial availability
Routinely Available

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for DEIN3. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Hawaii: Introduced; Lower 48 states: Introduced; Navassa Island: Native; Pacific Basin (excluding Hawaii): Introduced; Puerto Rico: Native; U.S. Virgin Islands: Native.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 55 counties across 5 states; the most are in Florida (45), Hawaii (4), Texas (3).

Other Desmodium on Bloomipedia (1): Showy tick-trefoil.

More from the Fabaceae family (114 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Lupines, White clover, Red clover, Eastern redbud, Purple crownvetch, Bird's-foot trefoil, Partridge pea, White sweetclover.

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Rosary pea (Abrus precatorius)

Rosary pea

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Sources