Contains 12 accepted taxa overall.
Characteristics
Classification
Citation
LESPEDEZA Michaux, Fl. Bor.-Amer. 2: 70, t. 39-40. 1803.
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TYPE: Lespedeza sessiliflora Michaux, nom. illegit. (Medicago virginica Linnaeus) Lectotypified by Britton & A. Brown, Ill. Fl. N. U.S., ed. 2. 2: 402. 1913.
Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Herbarium Specimens | Status | Photos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lespedeza angustifolia | NARROWLEAF LESPEDEZA | Native FAC (NWPL) | ||
| Lespedeza bicolor | SHRUBBY LESPEDEZA | Not Native | ||
| Lespedeza capitata | ROUNDHEAD LESPEDEZA; DUSTY CLOVER | Native FACU (NWPL) | ||
| Lespedeza cuneata | SERICEA LESPEDEZA; CHINESE LESPEDEZA | Not Native FACU (NWPL) | ||
| Lespedeza hirta | HAIRY LESPEDEZA | Native | ||
| Lespedeza procumbens | TRAILING LESPEDEZA | Native | ||
| Lespedeza repens | CREEPING LESPEDEZA | Native | ||
| Lespedeza stuevei | TALL LESPEDEZA | Native | ||
| Lespedeza thunbergii | THUNBERG'S LESPEDEZA | Not Native | ||
| Lespedeza violacea | VIOLET LESPEDEZA | Native | ||
| Lespedeza virginica | SLENDER LESPEDEZA | Native | ||
| Lespedeza x oblongifolia | Native |
Identification Key
1. Leaflets widest at or near the apex, cuneate from the tip to the base; axillary inflorescence of 1-3 flowers
1. Leaflets widest at or near the middle, generally elliptic to linear-elliptic; axillary inflorescence of 3-many flowers
2
2. Stems prostrate, procumbent, to decumbent
3
2. Stems erect
4
3. Plant with spreading, curved trichomes
3. Plant strigose
4. Leaflets linear to oblong-elliptic, 2-8(-10) mm wide, mostly 2.3-8 times longer than wide
5
4. Leaflets elliptic-oblong, ovate, to obovate, larger ones 8-25 mm wide, mostly 1.6-2.6 times longer than wide
7
5. Petioles >½ as long as the lateral leaflets, to 28 mm long; calyx to ½ as long as the mature fruit; corolla pink to purple, rarely white
5. Petioles <¼(½) as long as the lateral leaflets, to 3(10) mm long; calyx subequal to longer than the mature fruit; corolla white to cream with a purple throat
6
6. Leaflets mostly 4-8(-10) times longer than wide; calyx 5-8 mm long; corolla 5-7 mm long; fruit 3-5 mm long
6. Leaflets mostly 2.3-3.5 times longer than wide; calyx 8-12 mm long; corolla 7-10 mm long; fruit 4-7 mm long
7. Plant 1-3 m tall, woody or suffrutescent; petioles to 4 cm long; corolla 8-15 mm long
8
7. Plant to 1.5(-2) m tall, herbaceous; petioles to 2.5 cm long; corolla 5-10 mm long
9
8. Racemes stiffly erect to erect-ascending; corolla 8-11 mm long; seeds purple and green mottled
8. Racemes laxly spreading to drooping; corolla 10-15 mm long; seeds purplish black
9. Leaflets ovate to obovate; racemes to 8 cm long, exserted beyond the leaves; calyx subequal to longer than the fruit
9. Leaflets elliptic-oblong; racemes to 2 cm long, included or scarcely exserted beyond the leaves; calyx to ½ as long as the fruit
10
10. Stem strigose to villosulous; leaflet upper surface pubescent
10. Stem strigose to puberulent; leaflet upper surface glabrate or pubescent only along the midrib
Genus Synonyms
| Synonym | Full Citation | Basionym | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Despeleza | Despeleza Nieuwland, Amer. Midl. Naturalist 3: 175. 1914. | TYPE: Despeleza hirta (Linnaeus) Nieuwland (Hedysarum hirtum Linnaeus) |