About Tephrosia hispidula (Michx.) Pers.
Scientific Name and Stem Characteristics
Tephrosia hispidula (Michx.) Pers. has stems that grow between decumbent and erect, reaching a maximum length of 50 cm (20 in).
Leaf Shape and Size
Its leaves are shaped from narrowly elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, with bicolored leaf blades 9 to 20 cm (3.5 to 7.9 in) long.
Leaf Pubescence
The upper surface of the leaf blades ranges from hairless (glabrous) to densely covered in fine hairs (pubescent), while the lower surface ranges from sparsely to densely pubescent.
Inflorescence Position and Length
Inflorescences grow opposite the leaves, and are 5 to 15 cm (2.0 to 5.9 in) long.
Inflorescence Bract and Peduncle Traits
They have either a flattened peduncle, or terete, narrowly lanceolate to linear bracts.
Corolla Coloration
The corolla is initially white to yellow, and changes to reddish as it ages.
Mature Legume Traits
When mature legumes form, they are 3 to 4.2 cm (1.2 to 1.7 in) long, with sparse to moderate pubescence, and their trichomes are at least 0.6 mm (0.024 in) long.
Species Endemic Range
This species is endemic to the southeastern United States, with a range extending from Virginia south to Florida and west to Louisiana.
Habitat Types
It grows in pine savannas, sandhills, hardwood swamps, wiregrass woodlands, and along riverbanks.
