Slender Lespedeza
| Plant Profile | |
|---|---|
| FYUSE 3d Image |
Common Name: Slender Lespedeza Other Names: Slender Bush Clover Species Name: Lespedeza virginica Plant Type: Legume Family Name: Fabaceae, Pea Family |
Examples of Slender LespedezaLespedeza virginica
| Plant Facts | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Native |
| Duration | Perennial |
| Distribution in the U.S. | Eastern half and extends westward to southeastern Nebraska, eastern Kansas and Texas |
| Distribution in Oklahoma | Eastern half of the state |
ID Characteristics
- Field Identification Characteristics
Vegetative
- Long leaving stems
- Spreading branches with overlapping small and large leaves
- 3 leaflets per leaf
- Veins of leaves curve away from leaf edge back to midrib in oval pattern
- Leaves narrower than L. capitata or L. cuneata
Floral
- Flowers among leaves; purple or pink in color
- Leaf and Stem Characteristics
- Leaf Type: Compound, 1-pinnately
- Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
- Leaf Shape: Linear or narrowly oblong
- Stipules: Present
- Floral Characteristics
- Petal Number: 5, fused
- Flower Color: Purple to pink
- Flower Timing: May-October
- Fruit Type: Legumes
| Habitat/Ecology | |
|---|---|
| Soil Type | Sandy, loamy and rocky soil |
| Habitat | Prairies, open woods, roadsides, sandy soils of stream valleys, disturbed soils near construction and logging areas |
| Successional Stage | Mid to late |
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