Round-headed bush clover is a native, perennial wildflower that grows two to six feet tall, with stiff, upright stems that often remain standing into the next growing season, adding winter structure to prairie landscapes. Its cream-colored, pea-shaped flowers with pinkish throats form dense, rounded clusters at the tops of stems, attracting native bees and butterflies. The trifoliate leaves feature elliptical or football-shaped leaflets with conspicuous veins and short hairs. Leaf stalks are short or absent. Thriving in dry to moist soils and full sun to light shade, it inhabits open areas such as prairies, fields, and savannas.
As a legume, it enriches the soil through nitrogen fixation, supporting surrounding plant communities. Its deep taproot stabilizes soil and improves water infiltration, making it especially valuable in restoration efforts. The plant provides forage for deer, rabbits, and upland game birds, while its seeds feed quail, turkeys, and doves. It also serves as a host plant for butterfly larvae, including the eastern-tailed blue. In every season, this keystone species offers habitat and nourishment to the landscapes it inhabits.
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