Lespedeza capitata (Rounded-headed bush clover)

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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 24-48" (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:

Missouriplants.com

Illinois Wildflowers

Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants

Emilydecampherbarium.rutgers.edu

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 × 10" (20 × 25 cm)

8/13/2010 · Old RR bed near Wilkins Farm, Pepperell, Massachusetts
≈ 5 × 7" (13 × 17 cm)

7/17/2014 · Amos Kendall Conservation Land, Dunstable, Massachusetts
≈ 3½ × 6" (9.8 × 14 cm)

8/4/2009 · Near Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, Massachusetts
≈ 17 × 24" (42 × 61 cm)

11/7/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts
≈ 5 × 7" (13 × 17 cm)

10/12/2013 · Flat Rock Hill Trail, off Skytop Lane, Dunstable, Massachusetts
≈ 7 × 11" (18 × 28 cm)

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.

9/20/2016 · Bemis Road Conservation Area, Pepperell, Massachusetts

9/14/2009 · Near Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, Massachusetts
≈ 4 × 5" (10 × 12 cm)

7/17/2014 · Amos Kendall Conservation Land, Dunstable, Massachusetts
≈ 5 × 8" (13 × 19 cm)

9/25/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, near Hospital, Ayer, Massachusetts
≈ 9 × 11" (23 × 28 cm)

8/25/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pepperell, Massachusetts
≈ 4 × 6" (9.9 × 15 cm)

8/30/2010 · Old RR bed near Wilkins Farm, Pepperell, Massachusetts
≈ 9 × 6" (23 × 16 cm)

9/20/2016 · Bemis Road Conservation Area, Pepperell, Massachusetts

10/12/2013 · Flat Rock Hill Trail, off Skytop Lane, Dunstable, Massachusetts
≈ 6 × 8" (16 × 21 cm)

9/25/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, near Hospital, Ayer, Massachusetts
≈ 7 × 11" (18 × 27 cm)

7/17/2014 · Amos Kendall Conservation Land, Dunstable, Massachusetts
≈ 4½ × 7" (11 × 18 cm)

Range: Zones 4-8:

About this map...