tick trefoil


noun

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.

Origin of tick trefoil

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60

Example sentences from the Web for tick trefoil

British Dictionary definitions for tick trefoil

tick trefoil

noun

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 called: beggar-ticks