Flower:

Densely packed, round to oval clusters about 1½ inch diameter on hairy stalks arising from the upper leaf axils and at the tip of the stem, the cluster stalk shorter than the subtending leaf. Flowers are white, about ¼-inch across, 1 large petal at the top with a spot of purple near its base, and 2 small petals below. The calyx is densely hairy and has 5 sharply pointed lobes about as long as or a little shorter than the flower. The number of flowers in a cluster that are open at the same time is quite variable, from just a few to nearly all.

Leaves and stem:

Leaves are compound in 3s, spreading to nearly erect, short-stalked to nearly stalkless, alternately attached. Leaflets are up to 3 inches long and to 1 inch wide, toothless, usually rounded on both ends but may have a pointed tip. The end leaflet is largest and longer stalked than the 2 lateral leaflets. Surfaces are often densely covered in appressed, silky hairs that can give a gray or blue-green cast, though the upper surface may be only sparsely hairy. Stems are erect to leaning or somewhat nodding at the tip, densely covered in fine white hairs, ridged, and typically unbranched.

Fruit:

The calyx persists and turns a rusty brown, then dark brown as fruit matures. The seed heads retain their shape through winter.

Fruit is a fuzzy pod shorter than the calyx, containing a single seed.

Notes:

Round-headed Bush Clover is easy to spot in winter, the persistent heads really stand out. It is not likely to be confused for any other species.