bush clover

American  

noun

1. any of several plants or shrubs belonging to the genus Lespedeza, of the legume family, having pinnately trifoliate leaves and heads of pink, purple, cream, or white flowers.

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Etymology

Origin of bush clover

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20

Example Sentences

In Illinois, for instance, a highway-widening project was rerouted to avoid a roadside patch containing specimens of a rare plant, the prairie bush clover.

From Time Magazine Archive

At night the bush clover leaves turn upward, completely changing the aspect of these plants as we know them by day.

From Wild Flowers An Aid to Knowledge of Our Wild Flowers and Their Insect Visitors by Blanchan, Neltje

Like the rest of its kin, this bush clover delights in dry soil, particularly in open, sandy places near woods of pine and oak.

From Wild Flowers An Aid to Knowledge of Our Wild Flowers and Their Insect Visitors by Blanchan, Neltje