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Native Plant Database

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Lespedeza capitata (Roundhead lespedeza)
Flaigg, Norman G.

Lespedeza capitata Michx.

Roundhead lespedeza, Roundhead bush-clover

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

USDA Symbol: LECA8

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The stems of round-head bush-clover stand 2-4 ft. tall and, along with the trifoliate leaves, are covered with fine hairs. Clover-like flowers are greenish-white and held in clusters along the upper part of the stem. Stems remain erect through the winter when the seedheads have turned dark brown. This is a perennial.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Trifoliate
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , ON
Native Distribution: ME to c. MN & s.e. SD, s. to FL & e. TX
Native Habitat: Upland prairies; sand dunes; dry, open woods; roadsides
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Well-drained soils.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Seeds provide food for birds and other wildlife.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Fragrant Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds

Propagation

Description: Easily propagated from scarified seed. Sow unstratified seed in fall; stratified in spring.
Seed Collection: Collect from Oct. to Nov.
Seed Treatment: Scarification and moist stratification for 10 days.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Ohio Prairie Nursery - Hiram, OH

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
* The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Lespedeza capitata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Lespedeza capitata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Lespedeza capitata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-12-07
Research By: TWC Staff

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