1. Lespedeza Rèpens (L.) Bart. Creeping Bush-Clover

Fig. 2597

Hedysarum repens L. Sp. Pl. 749. 1753.

L. repens Bart. Prodr. Fl. Phil. 2: 77. 1818.

Trailing or diffusely procumbent, glabrate or appressed-pubescent, tufted, stems slender, simple or somewhat branched, 6'-24' long. Petioles shorter than the leaves; stipules subulate, 1"-2" long; leaflets oval or obovate, obtuse or refuse at the apex, narrowed or rounded at the base, 3"-8" long; peduncles of the petaliferous flower-clusters slender, much exceeding the leaves; inflorescence rather loose, few-flowered; corolla violet-purple, 2"-3" long; pod oval-orbicular, acute, finely pubescent, 1 1/2" long.

In dry or sandy soil, Connecticut to Florida, Minnesota, Arkansas and Texas. Aug.-Sept.

2. Lespedeza Procùmbens Michx. Trailing Bush-Clover

Fig. 2598

Lespedeza procumbens Michx. Fl. Bor. Am. 2: 70. 1803.

Woolly or downy-pubescent, trailing, procumbent or sometimes ascending, stouter than the preceding species, stems 12'-30' long. Stipules subulate; petioles commonly much shorter than the leaves; leaflets oval or elliptic, rarely slightly obovate, obtuse or refuse at the apex, rounded at the base, 5"-12" long; peduncles of the petaliferous flower-clusters longer than the leaves, or the flowers sometimes all apetalous and nearly sessile; corolla violet-purple or pinkish purple; pod oval-orbicular, acute, pubescent, 1 1/2" long.

In dry soil, New Hampshire to Florida, west to Indiana, Missouri, Arkansas and Texas. Aug.-Sept.

3. Lespedeza Violàcea (L.) Pers. Bush-Clover

Fig. 2599

Hedysarum violaceum L. Sp. Pl. 749. 1753.

Lespedeza violacea Pers. Syn. 2: 318. 1807.

Erect or ascending, sparingly pubescent, usually much branched, 1°-3° high. Stipules subulate, 2"-3" long; petioles shorter than or equalling the rather distant leaves; leaflets oval, elliptic or elliptic-oblong, thin, obtuse or retuse at the apex, rounded at the base, 6"-2' long, appressed-pubes-cent beneath; peduncles, at least the upper ones, longer than the leaves; inflorescence loose, few-flowered, paniculate; corolla violet-purple, 3"-5" long; pod ovate or oval, acute, finely and sparingly pubescent, or glabrate, 2"-3" long.

In dry soil, New Hampshire to Florida, west to Minnesota, Kansas, Louisiana and northern Mexico. Aug.-Sept.

Lespedeza pràirea (Mack. & Bush) Britton, of dry soil from Illinois and Missouri to Arkansas and Texas, has smaller leaflets and shorter-pedicelled flowers.