With white to pink pea-like flowers, the Illinois tick trefoil grows to a height of 3 to 6 feet and thrives in dry to moderate soil types. The oblong seed pods are densely covered with hooked hairs that stick to hair or clothing. In sandy conditions D. illinoense may have the potential to become aggressive.

This is a legume species (member of the pea family), which harbor beneficial bacteria called rhizobia on their roots.