Description from
Flora of China
Lespedeza subg. Microlespedeza Maximowicz, Trudy Imp. S.-Peterburgsk. Bot. Sada 2: 346, 382. 1873; Microlespedeza (Maximowicz) Makino.
Herbs, annual, usually much branched. Leaves 3-foliolate; stipules membranous, large and persistent, usually longer than petiole, ciliate. Flowers 1 or 2, usually fascicled in axils of leaf, rarely 3 or more. Bracteoles 4, attached to lower part of calyx. Calyx 5-lobed. Corolla pink or purple; standard nearly equal to wings, often shorter than keel. Corolla and staminal column of perfect flowers deciduous at fruiting; corolla and staminal column of cleistogamous flowers clinging to legume and remaining until fruit matures, deciduous. Stamens diadelphous (9+1). Ovary 1-ovuled. Legume compressed, 1-jointed, indehiscent, 1-seeded.
Two species: China, Japan, Korea, and Russia; two species in China.
(Authors: Huang Puhua (黄普华 Huang Pu-hwa); Hiroyoshi Ohashi, Tomoyuki Nemoto)
