Herbs. Stems decumbent to erect, 10–50 cm, loosely stri­gose to villous. Leaves: petiole 2–8(–15) mm; leaflets (9 or)11–17(or 19), blades bicolored (darker abaxially), narrowly elliptic to oblong-elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, 9–20(–25) × 2–6 mm, length 2.5–5 times width, apex acute, abaxial surface finely and evenly sparsely strigose, hairs relatively short, not overlapping, venation distinctly reddish, adaxial glabrate. Racemes axillary and terminal, (1–)3–8-flowered, evident (flowers well above level of leaves), 1.5–15 cm; floral bracts persistent, linear-lanceolate. Flowers: corolla yellowish white, aging reddish to purple, 10–15 mm; stamens diadelphous; style bearded. Legumes 30–50 × 5–6 mm, hirsute-villous.

Phenology: Flowering May–Aug.
Habitat: Riverbanks, sedge bogs, mead­ows, pine flatwoods, roadsides, ditches, wet habitats, pine savannas, dry woodlands.
Elevation: 10–50 m.

Distribution

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Ala., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., N.C., S.C., Va.

Discussion

Tephrosia hispidula is recognized by its relatively small leaflets with sharply acute apices and strigulose abaxial surfaces with reddish venation.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.