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Sericea lespedeza

(Lespedeza cuneata)

Photo of sericea lespedeza
Photo credit: Elizabeth J. Czarapata

Herbaceous perennial is 2-4’ tall with multiple stems that die back to the ground yearly. Stems are stiff and angled about 45^O from the ground or each other and die back to the ground each year. Stems are light green, strongly ridged, and covered with white hairs. Lower stems become brown and woody and lose most of their hair as they mature.

 Overview map of prohibited classification in WI
Prohibited (red) counties

Other names for this plant include:

  • Common names: silky bush clover, Chinese bush clover, perennial lespedeza
  • Scientific names: L. sericea; L. juncea ssp. service; Anthyllis cuneata

Classification in Wisconsin: Prohibited

Ecological Threat
  • It is tolerant of many habitat types: fields, roadsides, upland woods and prairie restorations.
  • It forms dense colonies that crowd out native vegetation and sericea lespedeza produces an extensive seed bank.
Identification

Leaves: The alternate compound leaves are trifoliate with short petioles. Leaflets are narrow, oblong and have smooth margins. The upper surface is dull green and hairless while the lower surface is covered with silky hairs.

Flowers: 1-4 pea-like flowers develop from leaf axils on short stalks. Petals are white or cream with a patch of purple at the base. It blooms in early fall for about one month.

Fruits & seeds: Each flower produces a short hairy seedpod containing one seed. Seeds are viable for up to 20 years.

Roots: Stout taproot.

Control

Mechanical: Mow plants in the flower bud stage for several consecutive years to reduce root reserves and limit seed production.

Chemical: Foliar spray with triclopyr or clopyralid with non-ionic surfactant in mid-summer.

For more information on control techniques, visit the Sericea lespedeza factsheet [exit DNR] by the University of Wisconsin-Extension.

Resources
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