Grow Native! Plant Indentification

Round-headed bushclover

Name: Round-headed bushclover (Lespedeza capitata)
Distinguishing Characteristics: leaves and stem covered with fine, silvery hairs and leaves divided into 3 narrow leaflets
Height: to 5 feet
Blooms: July to October
Description: A slender legume, its flowers occur in dense, rounded heads up to 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Each flower has an upper petal, two side petals and a lower lip. The flowers are creamy white with a reddish to purplish spot at the base
Comments: This species is found on prairies and savannas and is commonly used in native wildflower seed mixes. It often flowers in unmanaged warm-season grass fields and is easy to establish from seed. In winter, seed heads are chocolate brown and standout against the light tan color of warm-season grasses. Good food source for wildlife and forage for livestock.

Round-headed bushclover Details (Click on the photo to see a larger image)
Seeds (scale is in 1/16 inch increments)	Seedling	Juvenile	Distinguishing Characteristic	Mature Plant

Photographs by Don Kurz