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Sericea Lespedeza
Lespedeza
cuneata
 Identification
Herbaceous
perennial plant in the pea family (Fabaceae). One to several stems
arise from a central location and have an erect growth pattern.
Leaves are pinnately compound and in groups of three oblong leaflets
arranged alternately on the stem. Flowers appear along the stem in
late summer and early fall. The flower is typical of the pea family,
white to cream in color, and produces one hard, shiny seed which can
remain viable in the soil for 20 years or more. Mature plant stems
are somewhat woody or fibrous, and usually persist through the
dormant season until new spring growth appears.
Origin
Asia
Habitat
Sericea lespedeza
can grow in a wide variety of conditions. It easily grows in highly
eroded, poor soils where most plants cannot survive. It does best in
full sun, but will tolerate partial shade. It becomes established in
poor soil areas via its nitrogen fixation abilities and spreads
quickly into adjacent areas with large crops of highly viable seeds
yearly.
Ecological Threat
Sericea
lespedeza is a threat to natural open areas because it crowds out
native vegetation necessary for wildlife forage. It is unpalatable
to wildlife and livestock because of its high tannin content. When
sericea lespedeza gets established in a natural area, it quickly
builds a large seed bank in the soil, insuring its presence there in
future years. Introduced in the 1940s as a reclamation and erosion
control plant, sericea lespedeza is unfortunately still widely
planted for these purposes, despite its invasive tendencies. It is
becoming a real threat in highway and power line rights-of-way,
rendering nearby habitats virtually barren of wildlife.
Recommended Native Alternatives
-
Partridge pea
(Chamaechrista fasciculate)
-
Wild indigo (Baptista
tinctoria)
-
Little
bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
These pages are designed to give the
layperson a general overview of non-native invasive plants commonly
found in the upper Hiwassee River watershed. For more comprehensive
and technical information about a particular species, visit one of
the web sites from our
Links
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