Why Do They Call It Beggars Lice?
Why Do They Call It Beggars Lice? The flattened, hairy pods stick to clothing and animal fur, hence the names “beggar’s lice” and “tick trefoil.” (“Trefoil” means “three-leaved.”) Some desmodiums are used in agriculture to repel insect pests, inhibit the growth of weeds, enrich the soil, and create fodder for livestock. Is beggar’s lice poisonous?