Lespedeza capitata

Stems ±erect, 6-15 dm, simple or branched above, densely villous; petioles 2-5 mm, shorter than the stalk of the terminal lfl; lfls to 4.5 נ1.8 cm, variable in shape and pubescence, usually appressed-hairy on both sides or glabrous above; heads numerous, forming a thyrsoid infl, subglobose to short-ovoid, 12-25 mm, with very many, densely crowded fls; peduncles usually shorter than the subtending lvs and rarely longer than the heads; fls 8-12 mm, ochroleucous; cal- lobes villous, 6-10 mm; fr pubescent, conspicuously shorter than the cal; 2n=20. Open dry woods, sand- dunes, and prairies; Me. and s. Que. to Minn. and S.D., s. to Ga., w. Fla., and Tex. July-Sept. (L. c. var. stenophylla, the narrow-lvd extreme; L. velutina, the form with spreading-hairy lvs)

Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.

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From Flora of Indiana (1940) by Charles C. Deam

Infrequent throughout the area indicated on the map in dry, sandy soil along roadsides and railroads and in open woodland. This is essentially a prairie plant and is found more frequently in prairie habitats. [Deam's var. velutina] is an extreme form with velutinous leaflets and has the same habitat and range as those of the species. I have specimens from Allen and Pulaski Counties.

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Indiana Coefficient of Conservatism: C = 4

Wetland Indicator Status: FACU