(Lespedeza capitata)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Ecology • Use • Distribution • Taxonomy
Description |
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Round-headed bush clover is a 2′ to 4′ tall, erect, perennial forb that rises on one or more stems from a taproot. The stems are erect, leafy, and usually unbranched or with a few branches above the middle. They are densely covered with soft, silvery hairs. The leaves are alternate, and compound, divided into 3 leaflets. They are on short, 1 ⁄16″ to 3 ⁄16″ long leaf stalks. The stalk of the terminal leaflet is longer than the leaf stalk. The leaflets are ascending, oval, 1″ to 2″ long, ⅜″ to ¾″ wide, and may be tipped with a short, sharp, abrupt point. The hairiness of the upper surface is variable. They are usually covered in dense, soft, appressed, hairs, and often have a silvery sheen, but they may be hairless. The lower surface is always covered in dense, soft, appressed hairs. The margins are untoothed. The inflorescence is a round, head-like, dense cluster of 10 to 45 crowded flowers. The clusters are on a short stalk at the ends of stems and branches, or are unstalked in the leaf axils. The flower heads turn dark brown when they mature. The flowers are from less than ¼″ to ⅜″ long and pea-like, with 5 petals organized into a broad banner at the top, 2 narrow wings, and a keel in the center formed by two petals fused together at the tip. The petals are cream colored (yellowish-white) with a pinkish or purple patch near the throat. There is no floral scent. The fruit is a 1-seeded, hairy pod, about 1 ⁄5″ long. |
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Height |
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2′ to 4′ |
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Flower Color |
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Cream colored (yellowish-white), with a pinkish or purple throat. |
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Similar Species |
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Prairie bush clover (Lespedeza leptostachya) has narrower leaflets and loose flower heads. |
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Habitat |
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Dry to moderate moisture. Prairies, sand dunes, woodland openings. Full to partial sun. |
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Ecology |
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Flowering |
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July to September |
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Pests and Diseases |
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Use |
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Distribution |
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Sources |
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6/6/2023 | ||||
Nativity |
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Native |
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Occurrence |
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Common |
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Taxonomy |
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Kingdom | Plantae (green algae and land plants) | ||
Subkingdom | Viridiplantae (green plants) | ||
Infrakingdom | Streptophyta (land plants and green algae) | ||
Superdivision | Embryophyta (land plants) | ||
Division | Tracheophyta (vascular plants) | ||
Subdivision | Spermatophytina (seed plants) / Angiospermae (flowering plants) | ||
Class | Magnoliopsida (flowering plants) | ||
Superorder | Rosanae | ||
Order |
Fabales (legumes, milkworts, and allies) | ||
Family |
Fabaceae (legumes) | ||
Subfamily | Faboideae | ||
Tribe | Desmodieae | ||
Subtribe | Lespedezinae | ||
Genus | Lespedeza (bush clovers and lespedezas) | ||
Subordinate Taxa |
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Synonyms |
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Hedysarum conglomeratum Hedysarum frutescens Hedysarum umbellatum Lespedeza bicknellii Lespedeza capitata f. argentea Lespedeza capitata var. sericea Lespedeza capitata var. stenophylla Lespedeza capitata var. typica Lespedeza capitata var. velutina Lespedeza capitata var. vulgaris Lespedeza frutescens Lespedeza stuevei Lespedeza velutina |
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Common Names |
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bush clover bush-clover dusty clover round-head bush-clover round-headed bush clover roundhead lespedeza round-head lespedeza round-headed lespedeza |
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Glossary
Axil
The upper angle where the leaf stalk meets the stem.
Compound leaf
A leaf that is divided into leaflets, each leaflet having the general appearance of a leaf, with all leaflets attached to a single leaf stem.
Visitor Photos |
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Luciearl |
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Growing in the ditch on my property. First time seen this year. |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Habitat |
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Plant |
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Inflorescence |
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Infructescence |
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Visitor Videos |
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Other Videos |
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Visitor Sightings |
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Report a sighting of this plant. |
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This button not working for you? Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com. Be sure to include a location. |
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Luciearl 8/29/2018 |
Location: Fairview Township (Cass Cty) Growing in the ditch on my property. First time seen this year. |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center Carver Highlands WMA, South Unit Charles A. Lindbergh State Park John Peter Hoffman Spring Brook Valley WMA Kellogg Weaver Dunes SNA, Kellogg Weaver Unit Kellogg Weaver Dunes SNA, Weaver Dunes Unit Lake Alexander Woods SNA, South Unit Minnesota Valley NWR, Louisville Swamp Unit Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR, Touch the Sky Prairie Unit Prairie Creek WMA, Koester Prairie Unit Sand Prairie Wildlife Management and Environmental Education Area Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge Spring Beauty Northern Hardwoods SNA |
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