Round-Headed Bush Clover, Roundhead Lespedeza, Bush Clover

Lespedeza capitata

les-pe-DEEZ-a  kap-ih-TAY-tuh

Synonyms of Lespedeza capitata (16) (Updated on 8-7-26 from Plants of the World Online): Aeschynomene frutescens Poir. (1798), Despeleza capitata (Michx.) Nieuwl. (1914), Hedysarum conglomeratum Poir. (1805), Hedysarum frutescens Willd. (1803) (nom. illeg. homonym. post.), Hedysarum umbellatum Walter (1788) (sensu auct.), Lespedeza bicknellii House (1905), Lespedeza capitata f. argentea Fernald (1941), Lespedeza capitata var. hirtiformis Fernald (1938), Lespedeza capitata var. sericea Hook. (1835), Lespedeza capitata var. stenophylla Bissell & Fernald (1912), Lespedeza capitata var. typica Fernald (1941) (not validly publ.), Lespedeza capitata var. velutina Fernald (1908), Lespedeza capitata var. vulgaris Torr. & A.Gray (1840), Lespedeza fruticosa Pers. (1807), Lespedeza schindleri H.Lév. (1916), Lespedeza velutina E.P.Bicknell (1901) (nom. illeg. homonym. post.)

Lespedeza capitata Michx. is the accepted scientific name for this species of Lespedeza. The genus and species were named and described as such by André Michaux in Flora Boreali-Americana in 1803.

As of 8-7-26 when this page was first published, Plants of the World Online lists 48 species in the Lespedeza genus. It is a member of the plant family Fabaceae with 806 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO.

The above distribution map for Lespedeza capitata is from Flora of North America. Areas in green are where the species is native. The map on the USDA Plants Database is similar. No map is perfect, but they give a general idea.

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are continually updated as members post new observations. I post all my observations on iNaturalist.

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FUTHER READING AND TO HELP WITH A POSITIVE ID.

Until May 4 in 2025, I had been identifying wildflowers on the family farm, a friends farm and woods, along back roads and highways, etc. Then, on May 4 in 2025, a friend invited me to visit a private native prairie. It was incredible and I photographed 11 new to me species! We went back again on 4-19-26. I took friends on May 3, and there wasn’t much to see then. Then, on June 8 in 2026, he took me to the Lordi Marker Prairie then to Drover’s Prairie where I photographed 19 species, 10 new to me. On 6-22-26, I took my son, and we went to the Friendly Prairie for the first time, then on to the Lordi Marker and Drover’s Prairie. I photographed 22 species at the Friendly Prairie, 6 species at Lordi Marker Prairie, and 17 species at Drover’s Prairie. 11 more new to me.  

I first ran across this species at the Friendly Prairie on 6-22-26. The leaves were kind of familiar, but they had an odd silvery glow… There were no flowers at the time. I took several photos and uploaded the best on iNaturalist for an ID. Even without flowers, their first suggestion was Lespedeza capitata. I cross-referenced the species on the Missouri Plants website and found the suggestion to be spot-on… 

I went back to the Friendly Prairie on July 28 and found plants with buds but no flowers fully open. The Missouri Plants website says this species flowers open from July through October, so I still have time… 

I will come back at some point to write descriptions, but I wanted to go ahead and get the photos online. There are several links at the bottom of the page with a lot of information and great descriptions.

 

 

 

 

I will continue going back to the three prairies and probably other areas to take more photos and see what else I can find…

I live on the family farm in Windsor, Missouri in Pettis County (Henry County is across the street, and Benton and Johnson aren’t far away). I have grown over 500 different plants and identified over 250 species of wildflowers (most have pages listed on the right side of the page). I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing, and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a few horticulturalists I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be variable from location to location, so that can be a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and they have provided much more information. Some sites may not be up-to-date but they are always a work in progress. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. I would enjoy hearing from you especially if you notice something is a bit whacky.

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX (GENUS/SPECIES)
TROPICOS (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF MISSOURI (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF NORTH AMERICA (GENUS/SPECIES)
WORLD FLORA ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
USDA PLANT GUIDE
iNATURALIST
MISSOURI PLANTS
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
FLORA FINDER
FRIENDS OF THE WILDFLOWER GARDEN
GO BOTANY
ILLINOIS WILDFLOWERS
KANSAS NATIVE PLANTS
KANSAS WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES
LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER
MINNESOTA WILDFLOWERS
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
PFAF (PLANTS FOR A FUTURE)
SEINet

NOTE: The data (figures, maps, accepted names, etc.) may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates. Some websites have hundreds and even many thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and it can be hard to keep with as well. Some of the links may use a name that is a synonym on other sites. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is one of the most reliable and up-to-date plant databases and they make updates regularly. I make updates “at least” once a year and when I write new pages or add new photos but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂