Description: The Prairie
bush-clover is a member of the bean or legume family. The plant has
one or more stems which have compound leaves with three linear
leaflets. It reaches a height of up to 39 inches. The pale pink or
cream-colored flowers bloom from mid-July to early September. The
plant often appears grayish or silver in color.
Habitat and Habits: Prairie bush-clover occurs on native
prairie areas and pastures that have retained many of the original
prairie species. Prairie bush-clover can reproduce vegetatively, but
appears to reproduce primarily by seed. The seed can germinate in
disturbed ground, making it possible for the species to maintain
itself or even increase its population under some forms of grazing.
Distribution: Prairie bush-clover is endemic to the Midwest
as it is known only in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. It
currently occurs in 14 counties in Iowa.
Conservation Efforts: By working with landowners, protection
of known populations is continuing. Research on the effects of
prescribed burning for prairies with prairie bush-clover is being
conducted.
Reasons For Listing: Prairie bush-clover is threatened
because of the loss of native prairie habitat in the Midwest.
Funding Provided
by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and
