Desmanthus Illinoensis --- annual, biennial or perennial?

I was informed that some seeds I had for an interesting plant native to the prairies, aka "Spider Bean", or Desmanthus Illinoensis, were perennial. So, I planted some and they seemed to grow ok for the one summer, but over winter all thats left above ground is a single, withered stalk.

I uprooted one to look at the root (attached photo) and it seems to be healthy, but judging by above-ground appearances, they look dead and aren't putting out any new growth --- are they an annual and I was misinformed? They sure don't look like any perennial plant I've ever grown ...

Does anybody know about these plants?

 

Im pretty sure they are perennial! Maybe something went wrong with that one!!

 

not every perennial starts to grow as soon as the weather starts warming up...and even two of the same plant may start growing at different times.

i have two hydrangea - one is well on it's way with lots of leaves a couple inches long and the buds are well formed; the other one is barely showing any new growth.

put that one back in the ground and it may be okay. as for the other one, you'll just have to wait until the conditions are right for it to start budding out.

 

OK, so there's still hope then? Good. Yeah, it is still a little early ...

Thanks.

 

"It ain't dead until the whole thing looks dead!"

I.e., if the roots and tubers are still healthy, leave them alone and bide your time.

 

Encouraging ...
Will keep you guys posted.

 

You're right --- they are still alive. They are just now starting to grow again. Good thing I didn't yard them out...

 

Image 8 shows a row of my Desmanthus'es I planted a few weeks ago and the others show the ones I started last year, and the only recently-visible new growth (it looks reddish). The old, dead stalks from last year's growth are visible, too.

By the way, if anybody wants some known-good Desmanthus seeds, I've got tons and have no problem mailing a shwack of them to a good home.

;)