Lespedeza - Lespedeza spp.

Two species of lespedeza are serious invasive species; Chinese or sericea lespedeza (L. cuneata) and shrubby lespedeza or bicolor(L. bicolor). Chinese lespedeza is an upright semi-woody forb, 3 to 6 feet in height with one to many slender stems (Swearingen et al. 2002). Shrubby lespedeza is very similar but usually displays more branching and is 3 to 10 feet in height (BROKEN-LINK Miller 2003). Both species have alternate, abundant, three-parted leaves. Chinese lespedeza leaflets are slender and .4 to .8 inches long whereas shrubby lespedeza leaflets are more elliptical to oval and 1-2 inches long. Flowers are small and whitish-yellow (Chinese) or purple (shrubby).

Native to Asia and introduced into the Unites States in the late 1800s, the lespedezas has been widely planted for wildlife habitat, erosion control, and mine reclamation (BROKEN-LINK Miller 2003).

They are currently found throughout the most of the southern Appalachians. Shrubby lespedeza has been widely planted as cover for quail habitat. Chinese lespedeza has been widely planted for erosion control and can be found adjacent to many roads in the southern Appalachians. Chinese lespedeza has also been included in seed mixes for mine reclamation sites. It quickly dominated reclamation plantings, reducing the biodiversity and wildlife potential of those sites.

Lespedezas are extremely aggressive invaders of open areas. Dense monocultural thickets are formed due to their ability to sprout from root crowns and high seed productivity. They out compete native vegetation and once established are very difficult to remove due to the seed bank, which can remain viable for decades. For more information and control recommendations please click here.