Roundhead Lespedeza

Lespedeza capitata

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Lespedeza
Species:
Lespedeza capitata

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
4-6 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
jul, aug, sep
Bloom Colors:
White

Native Range

United States: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Canada: New Brunswick, Ontario

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Black-spotted prominent (Dasylophia anguina), Io moth (Automeris io), Porphyrosela desmodiella, Northern Cloudywing (Thorybes pylades), Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus), Southern Cloudywing (Thorybes bathyllus)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), Black and gold bumble bee (Bombus auricomus), Black and gold bumble bee (Bombus auricomus), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Half-black bumble bee (Bombus vagans), Half-black bumble bee (Bombus vagans), Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus), Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to prairies and open woodlands

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Seeds are planted in late April using a Love seeder set at 3rd gear at 22 setting into prepared field beds.

Establishment: Seeds are purchased from private growers. Roundhead bushclover is found throughout the eastern and central United States.

Source: npn.rngr.net