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 Michx.
Roundhead lespedeza, bush clover, round-headed bush clover
Round-headed bush clover is a North American native.
Plants: 2–4′ (60–121 cm) tall, rarely to 5′ (1.5 m), on a single, erect stalk that is fuzzy with tiny silvery hairs.
Leaves: In clusters of three (trifoliate), each an elongated oval about ½–3″ (1.3–7.6 cm) long, with smooth edges.
Flowers: Clusters of tiny, pea-like flowers hug the stem, barely emerging from numerous hairy bracts. Individual flowers are less than ½″ (1.3 cm) 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.
Fruits: Flowerheads turn brown in the fall and typically last through the winter, providing a readily recognized sight in the winter.
Habitats: Prairies, sandy areas, limestone areas, roadsides, and dry, open woods.
Online References:
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 Michx. var. stenophylla Bissell & Fernald
Lespedeza capitata Michx. var. velutina (E.P. Bicknell) Fernald
Lespedeza capitata Michx. var. vulgaris Torr. & A. Gray
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 · ≈ 1½ × 2′ (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) 
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 · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 9.9 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) 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| 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 |
Lespedeza capitata description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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