Roundhead Lespedeza

Plant Profile
FYUSE 3D Image	Common Name: Roundhead Lespedeza Other Names: Roundhead Bush Clover Species Name: Lespedeza capitata Plant Type: Legume Family Name: Fabaceae, Pea Family


Plant Facts
Origin	Native
Duration	Perennial
Distribution in the U.S.	Eastern half of the U.S. up to South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Texas
Distribution in Oklahoma	Throughout the state, other than the Ouachita Mountains

ID Characteristics

Field Identification Characteristics
Vegetative
- Long stems unbranched below and highly branched above
- Loaf stem (petiole) shorter than the branch of the middle leaflet
- Leaves broader than L. cuneata or L. virginica
- Veins of leaves curve away from leaf edge back to midrib in oval pattern
Floral
- Flower heads clustered at top
- Flowers white with purple throats
- Seed heads dark brown in the upper parts of branches with shaggy appearance
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
- Leaf Type: Compound, 1-pinnately
- Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
- Leaf Shape: Elliptic or oblong
- Stipules: Present
Floral Characteristics
- Petal Number: 5, fused
- Flower Color:White with purple throats
- Flower Timing: June-September
- Fruit Type: (Flat) legumes


Habitat/Ecology
Soil Type	Various, well-drained soils
Habitat	Open woods, moist sites such as floodplains
Successional Stage	Late