+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ## roundhead lespedeza {#roundhead-lespedeza .Title-Header}           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| *Lespedeza capitata* Michx.                                           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Plant Symbol = LECA8                                                  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

*Contributed By: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center*

### Alternate Names![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.4993055555555554in" height="3.939583333333333in"}

roundheaded bush clover, bushclover

**Uses**

*Ethnobotanic*: The Omaha and Ponca used the stems for a moxa to treat
cases of neuralgia and rheumatism. The Comanche boiled the leaves for a
beverage tea. The Meskwaki used the root as an antidote for poison. The
Iroquois used the whole plant of *Lespedeza* (unidentified to species
level) in combination with *Euonymus obovata* for stricture caused by
something wrong with the blood.

*Wildlife*: Roundhead lespedeza seeds are an

important food source for the bobwhite quail.

### 

### Status

Please consult the PLANTS web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status, such as, state noxious status
and wetland indicator values.

### Description

*General:* Bean Family (Fabaceae). This herbaceous, native, perennial
has erect stems that are 6-15 dm, and simple and branched above. The
petioles are 2-5 mm, shorter than the stalk of the terminal leaflet. The
plant has numerous small trifoliolate leaves. The leaflets are 4.5 x 1.8
cm, variable in shape and pubescence. The flowers are ochroleucous and
are arranged in spikes or heads. The calyx lobes are all separate and
the wings exceed the keel. Each flower is subtended at the base by small
bractlets. The fruits are indehiscent, and 1-seeded.

*Distribution*: For current distribution, please consult the Plant
Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site. This plant is
found in dry, open woods, sand dunes, and prairies. It ranges from Maine
and southern Quebec to Minnesota and South Dakota, south to Georgia,
west Florida, and Texas.

**Establishment**

*Propagation by seeds*: Clean the seed and scarify each seed coat with
sandpaper. If you are storing the seeds before planting, put them in
cold storage. Plant the seeds in a bedding mix with a light layer of
vermiculite on top. Sow the seeds in flats and water them, keeping them
moist. Do not over water them. The seeds will germinate in approximately
two weeks. After two more weeks, the seedlings will be ready to
transplant into plugs. These plants can be transplanted once again in
several weeks to larger pots. In the middle of May, after the danger of
frost has past, the plugs can be directly transplanted into a
well-drained soil in full sunlight and watered. Make sure the plants are
moist for several weeks until established.

**Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin)**

LECA8 is available through selected native plant nurseries within its
range. Please check the Vendor Database, expected to be on-line through
the PLANTS Web site in 2001 by clicking on Plant Materials.

**References**

Carlson, G.G., & V.H. Jones 1940. *Some notes on uses of plants by the
Comanche Indians*. Papers of the Michigan Academy of Science, Arts and
Letters 25:517-542.

Gilmore, M.R. 1977. *Uses of plants by the Indians of the Missouri River
region.* University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Gleason, H.A. & A. Cronquist 1991. *Manual of vascular plants of
northeastern United States and adjacent Canada.* Second Edition. The New
York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York.

Herrick, J.W. 1995. *Iroquois medical botany*. Syracuse University
Press, Syracuse, New York.

Moerman, D.E. 1998. *Native American ethnobotany.* Timber Press,
Portland, Oregon.

Smith, H.H. 1928*. Ethnobotany of the Meskwaki*. Bulletin of the Public
Museum of the City of Milwaukee 4:2(175-326).

USDA, NRCS 2000. *The PLANTS database*. Version: 000503.
\<http://plants.usda.gov\>. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge,
Louisiana.

Wunderlin, R.P., B.F. Hansen, & E.L. Bridges 2000. *Atlas of Florida
vascular plants*. Version: 000503.
\<http://cyber.acomp.usf.edu/\~isb/projects/atlas/atlas.html\>.
University of South Florida, Institute for Systematic Botany, Tampa,
Florida.

**Prepared By & Species Coordinator**

*M. Kat Anderson*, USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center, c/o Department
of Plant Science, University of California, Davis, California

Edited 05dec00 jsp; 21may03 ahv; 24may06jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*