Pigeon Bundleflower: A Little-Known Legume for Specialized Gardens
Meet pigeon bundleflower (Desmanthus pernambucanus), a perennial herb that might not be on your typical garden center radar, but has quietly established itself across several Pacific regions. Also known as slender mimosa or virgate mimosa, this unassuming member of the legume family brings a touch of delicate texture to landscapes where it thrives.
What Is Pigeon Bundleflower?
Pigeon bundleflower is a perennial forb—essentially a soft-stemmed plant without woody growth above ground. Like other members of the mimosa family, it features compound leaves that give it a feathery, delicate appearance. As a legume, it belongs to the same plant family as beans and peas, which means it has the handy ability to fix nitrogen in the soil.
Where Does It Come From?
This species is native to Puerto Rico, but it has spread its wings (so to speak) and now grows wild in Hawaii, Guam, Palau, and various U.S. Minor Outlying Islands. In these non-native locations, it has established itself as a naturalized plant that reproduces on its own without human intervention.
Should You Grow Pigeon Bundleflower?
Here’s where things get interesting—and a bit complicated. While pigeon bundleflower isn’t considered invasive or problematic, it’s also not native to most places where gardeners might encounter it. This puts it in that gray zone of introduced but not necessarily harmful.
If you’re in Puerto Rico, congratulations! This is actually a native plant for you. For gardeners elsewhere, you might want to consider native alternatives that provide similar benefits while supporting local ecosystems.
Garden Role and Landscape Use
Based on its growth habit as a forb, pigeon bundleflower likely works well as:
- A naturalistic groundcover in informal gardens
- Part of a wildflower or prairie-style planting
- A nitrogen-fixing companion plant in permaculture designs
Its delicate foliage can add textural interest, especially when paired with broader-leaved plants.
Growing Conditions
Pigeon bundleflower prefers upland conditions—it usually grows in non-wetland areas but can tolerate some moisture. This facultative upland status means it’s fairly adaptable to different moisture levels, though it seems happiest in well-drained soils.
Unfortunately, specific information about ideal soil types, sun exposure, and care requirements for this species is limited in cultivation guides, likely because it’s not commonly grown in traditional gardens.
Wildlife and Pollinator Value
As a legume, pigeon bundleflower likely provides some value to pollinators through its flowers, though specific data about which creatures it attracts isn’t readily available. The nitrogen-fixing capability does improve soil health, which benefits the broader garden ecosystem.
The Bottom Line
Pigeon bundleflower falls into that category of plants that are perfectly fine to grow but aren’t necessarily the best choice for most gardeners. Unless you’re in Puerto Rico (where it’s native) or working on a specialized project that specifically calls for this species, you’ll probably get more ecological bang for your buck by choosing native alternatives.
If you’re drawn to the delicate, compound-leaved look of legumes, research native species in your area—many regions have beautiful native clovers, vetches, or other legumes that will provide similar aesthetic appeal while supporting local wildlife.
Remember, the best gardens are those that work with nature rather than against it, and that usually means starting with plants that evolved in your neck of the woods!
