NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Lespedeza capitata

Roundhead Bush-clover, Roundhead Lespedeza, Bush-clover

Scientific Name:	Lespedeza capitata
Genus:	Lespedeza
Species Epithet:	capitata
Common Name:	Roundhead Bush-clover, Roundhead Lespedeza, Bush-clover
Plant Type	Herb/Wildflower
Life Cycle	Perennial
Plant Family	Fabaceae (Legume Family)
Native/Alien:	NC Native
Invasive Status:	^(*Key)
Size:	1-3 ft., 3-6 ft.
Bloom Color(s):	White, Yellow
Light:	Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day
Soil Moisture:	Dry, Moist, Wet
Bloom Time:	August, September, October
Growing Area:	Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain
Habitat Description:	Woodlands and woodland borders, wet meadows, fens, prairies. Very common in most of the NC Coastal Plain, except fairly common to common in northern counties. Common in the eastern Piedmont, fairly common in central sections, and generally uncommon in the southwestern portions. Very rare in the lower mountains, with known records only from Buncombe and Cherokee counties.
Leaf Arrangement:	Alternate
Leaf Retention:	Deciduous
Leaf Type:	Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like
Leaf Form:	Compound
Life Cycle:	Perennial
Wildlife Value:	Important for Wildlife
Landscape Value:	Not Recommended for home landscapes
State Rank:	S4: Apparently secure, S5: Secure ^(*Key)
Global Rank:	G5 - Secure ^(*Key)
Notes:	Best in meadows or natural areas.
Petioles are very short and leaflet surfaces are covered with dense hairs. Moore County, NC Cami Gregg
Few short branches close to the main stem. Moore County, NC Cami Gregg
The inflorescences are in very dense racemes. The dense hairs on the leaves give the foliage a silvery sheen. Moore Co., NC Cami Gregg
Links:	USDA PLANTS Database Record