tick trefoil

noun

1. any of numerous plants belonging to the genus Desmodium, of the legume family, having trifoliolate leaves and jointed pods with hooked hairs by which they adhere to objects.

tick trefoil

noun

1. any of various tropical and subtropical leguminous plants of the genus Desmodium, having trifoliate leaves, clusters of small purplish or white flowers, and sticky jointed seed pods, which separate into segments that cling to animals Also calledbeggar-ticks

Word History and Origins

Origin of tick trefoil¹

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60