Prairie bush clover

Scientific Latin name: Lespedeza leptostachya

Status: Threatened in the U. S. and Iowa

Description: Prairie bush clover is a member of the pea family. It has a clover-like leaf comprised of three leaflets about an inch long and a quarter-inch wide. Flowering plants are generally between nine and 18 inches tall with the flowers loosely arranged on an open spike. The pale pink or cream colored flowers bloom in mid-July. The entire plant has a grayish-silver sheen, making it easy to distinguish from its relative, sweet clover.

Do something WILD!: Get involved in your local prairie conservation activities such as the annual collection of seeds for new plantings.

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