Lespedeza capitata Michx.
Rounded-headed bush clover, roundhead lespedeza, bush clover, round-headed bush clover
Kingdom Plantae Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom Tracheobionta Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division Magnoliophyta Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class Magnoliopsida Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass Rosidae Roses, legumes, proteas, dogwoods, hydrangeas, mistletoes, euphorbias, grapes, many more
Order Fabales Legumes (pea and bean families)
Family Fabaceae Legume family (peas and beans)
Genus Lespedeza For Cespedez, Spanish governor of east Flordia in late 18th century
Species capitata Capitate, refers to the way the flowers form in a head-like cluster
About plant names...
Round-headed bush clover is a North American native.
Identification: Plants are 2-4′ (60-121 cm) tall, rarely to 5′ (1.5 m), on a single,
erect stalk that is fuzzy with tiny hairs. Leaves are in clusters of three (trifoliate ), each an elongated oval
about ½-3″ (1.3-7.6 cm) long, with smooth
edges. Clusters of tiny, pea-like flowers hug the stem. Individual flowers are about ¼″ (6.3 mm) in size, cream-colored, and have a
small pink/purple spot in the center. They bloom from August to September. Flowers look greenish white from a distance because they are surrounded
by hairy green bracts that become the fruits. These fruits turn brown in the fall and typically last through the winter, providing a readily
recognized sight in the winter.
Online References:
Illinois Wildflowers
Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants
The Connecticut Botanical Society's Connecticut wildflowers site
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
The University of Wisconsin's Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium
Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants
5/19/2016 · Bemis Road Trails, Pepperell, Massachusetts
9/14/2009 · Near Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 12″ (20 × 31 cm)
8/13/2010 · Old RR bed near Wilkins Farm, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 11″ (18 × 27 cm)
7/17/2014 · Amos Kendall Conservation Land, Dunstable, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 8″ (14 × 20 cm)
8/4/2009 · Near Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, Massachusetts · ≈ 1½ × 2′ (42 × 63 cm)
11/7/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 19 cm)
10/12/2013 · Flat Rock Hill Trail, off Skytop Lane, Dunstable, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 11″ (18 × 28 cm)
Older scientific or horticultural names
Lespedeza bicknellii House
Lespedeza capitata Michx. var. stenophylla Bissell & Fernald
Lespedeza capitata Michx. var. velutina (E.P. Bicknell) Fernald
Lespedeza capitata Michx. var. vulgaris Torr. & A. Gray
Lespedeza capitata description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 7 Sep 2023.
© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.
9/20/2016 · Bemis Road Conservation Area, Pepperell, Massachusetts
9/14/2009 · Near Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, Massachusetts · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 15 cm)
7/17/2014 · Amos Kendall Conservation Land, Dunstable, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 10″ (16 × 25 cm)
9/25/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, near Hospital, Ayer, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 14″ (23 × 35 cm)
8/25/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)
8/30/2010 · Old RR bed near Wilkins Farm, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm)
9/20/2016 · Bemis Road Conservation Area, Pepperell, Massachusetts
10/12/2013 · Flat Rock Hill Trail, off Skytop Lane, Dunstable, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 9″ (16 × 23 cm)
9/25/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, near Hospital, Ayer, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 14″ (23 × 35 cm)
7/17/2014 · Amos Kendall Conservation Land, Dunstable, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 9″ (15 × 22 cm)
Range: Zones 4-8:
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