Bush Clover Lespedeza capitata
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Bush Clover:
- Phonetic Spelling
- less-peh-DEE-zah ca-pih-TAY-tah
- Description
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Round-headed bush clover is a native wildflower in the Fabaceae (bean) family growing in woodlands and woodland borders, in meadows, prairies, sand dunes, and along roadsides. It is found in all areas of North Carolina.
The upright stems reach a height of 2 to 5 feet tall and the plant is 1 to 3 feet wide. Stems and leaves are covered in fine white hairs. Clusters of white bristly flower heads emerge from late summer to fall.
This plant is a high-value wildlife plant and is a host plant for butterflies, a forage plant, a nectar plant for pollinators and seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals. This plant is often browsed by deer and rabbits.
Plant in the full sun in moist to dry soils. Clay, loam, sand or even shallow rocky soils are all appropriate. Once established this plant is quite drought tolerant and because it is a legume it will add nitrogen to the soil. It is adaptable to different soil types as long as they are well-drained and is drought-tolerant.
In a landscape setting, use this native plant in a naturalized area, or meadow to support wildlife or plant it along a slope to help prevent erosion.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Lespedeza
- Species:
- capitata
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North and southeastern U.S.A.
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Eastern Tailed-Blue (Everes comyntas) larvae which has many broods from February-November. The adult butterflies feed on low-lying, open or short-tubed flowers such as white sweet clover, shepherd's needle, wild strawberry, winter cress, cinquefoils, and asters. It also attracts birds, bees, and mammals.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit is a fuzzy pod with 1 seed. Persist into winter. Displays from September to November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 2-5 inch long clusters of flowers appear in the apex and top of the central stem. There are numerous hairy bracts, from which the small white flowers barely protrude. The 1/4- 1/2 inch flowers have 5 petals and a patch of purple near the throat. Blooms August- Oct.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Trifoliate leaves occur alternately along the stem on short petioles, up to 3" long and 1" across, ovate, margins entire, scattered white hairs, visible central vein. Underside silky pubescent.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Erect stems ridged and have white hairs.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Erosion
