Desmanthus illinoensis, commonly known as Illinois bundleflower, prairie-mimosa or prickleweed, is a common plant in many areas of the south central and Midwestern US.
| Desmanthus illinoensis | |
|---|---|
| Desmanthus illinoensis | |
| Desmanthus illinoensis flower heads | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Caesalpinioideae |
| Clade: | Mimosoid clade |
| Genus: | Desmanthus |
| Species: | D. illinoensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Desmanthus illinoensis (Michx.) MacMill. ex B. L. Rob. & Fernald[1] | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
It can often be found growing on the sides of roads, needing full sun and ample moisture during its short growing season.
USDA Zones 5-8 are recommended for outside cultivation.
Root bark of D. illinoensis has been found to contain N,N-DMT, NMT, N-hydroxy-N-methyltryptamine, 2-hydroxy-N-methyltryptamine, and gramine (toxic).
The plant is nutritious and high in protein.[3]

The Land Institute in Salina, Kansas has done extensive research into the food uses of the seeds of this plant. Studies found the dry seeds composed of 38% protein, compared to 40% for soybeans.[4]
The root bark is mixed with a native source of beta-Carbolines (e.g., passion flower in North America) to produce a hallucinogenic analogous of the shamanic brew ayahuasca.[5]
Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Desmanthus illinoensis |
|
| Mimosa illinoensis |
|