round-headed bush-clover

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• round-headed bush-clover
• round-headed lespedeza
• dusty-clover
• round-head bush-clover
• round-head lespedeza
• prairie bush clover
• round-head bushclover
• round-headed bush clover
• roundhead bushclover
• roundhead lespedeza

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lespedeza schindleri
• Despeleza capitata
• Lespedeza capitata var. vulgaris
• Hedysarum conglomeratum
• Lespedeza bicknellii
• Lespedeza capitata var. velutina
• Lespedeza capitata var. stenophylla
• Lespedeza fruticosa
• Lespedeza capitata var. hirtiformis
• Lespedeza capitata var. sericea
• Lespedeza capitata f. argentea
• Aeschynomene frutescens

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Lespedeza.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Lespedeza capitata, exhibits a specific range within the North-Central United States. Its geographical distribution includes several key states located in this central region. Specifically, it can be found growing in the landscapes of Illinois and Iowa. The plant also extends its presence into the states of Kansas and Nebraska. Finally, its documented range reaches up into Minnesota, completing its North-Central pattern.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Lespedezetia capitata is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years and undergoes multiple reproductive cycles throughout its lifespan. This perennial nature allows the species to establish a stable presence within its ecosystem, often developing robust root systems that facilitate survival through varying seasonal conditions. Throughout its life cycle, the plant progresses through distinct stages of vegetative growth, flowering, and seed production, contributing to its long-term persistence in its natural habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lespedeza capitata is characterized by a growth form classified as both a herb and a forb, exhibiting a non-woody structure throughout its development. The plant typically reaches a mean height of 0.79 m and functions as a self-supporting organism rather than a climber or liana. It is a terrestrial species that does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it grow as an epiphyte. Furthermore, the plant is biologically independent, lacking any parasitic characteristics.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.79 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lespedeza capitata is characterized by a metabolic framework that utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a process where carbon dioxide is fixed directly into a three-carbon compound during the Calvin cycle. This metabolic strategy dictates the plant's efficiency in gas exchange and water use, as it relies on the enzyme RuBisCO to facilitate carbon fixation under ambient atmospheric conditions. Consequently, its physiological performance is closely tied to environmental factors such as light intensity, temperature, and moisture availability, which influence the rate of transpiration and the efficiency of photosynthetic assimilation. The energy acquisition process within its leaf tissues is optimized for moderate environments, where the C3 mechanism allows for effective biomass production through the direct conversion of light energy and CO2 into chemical energy.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lespedeza capitata is characterized by a specific flowering window and distinct seed characteristics. The plant enters its flowering stage in July and continues through its flowering period until October. During the seed production phase, the resulting seeds exhibit a specific mass profile; the average seed mass is approximately 0.002738625 g, with individual seed weights ranging from a minimum of 0.001982 g to a maximum of 0.0036 g.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Oct

Seed mass max:

0.0036 g

Seed mass mean:

0.002738625 g

Seed mass min:

0.001982 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lespedeza capitata has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem.

Stem

1. Frontiers in bioscience (Landmark edition)

Chemicals

Lespedeza capitata has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Procyanidins, RUTIN, SILYMARIN.

Procyanidins

1. Journal de pharmacie de Belgique

RUTIN

1. Journal de pharmacie de Belgique

SILYMARIN

1. Journal de pharmacie de Belgique