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Lespedeza cuneata - (Dum.Cours.)G.Don.

Common Name Chinese Lespedeza, Sericea lespedeza
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Waste ground and grassy places all over lowland Japan[58]. Moist shady places near water, 1700 - 2300 metres in Kashmir[145].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan, Himalayas.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Full sun
Lespedeza cuneata Chinese Lespedeza, Sericea lespedeza


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Dalgial
Lespedeza cuneata Chinese Lespedeza, Sericea lespedeza
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Dalgial

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Lespedeza cuneata is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
It is frost tender. It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

L. cuneata. (DumCours.)G.Don.

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Young leaves - cooked after soaking[105, 177, 179].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anthelmintic  Depurative  Dysentery  Tonic

The whole plant is anthelmintic, depurative and tonic[147]. A decoction is used in the treatment of testicular tuberculosis, hernia, enuresis, dental caries, toothache, infantile marasmus/ascariasis, snake and dog bites, skin ulcers, dysentery and enteritis[147]

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Soil conditioner

The plant has an extensive root system and fixes atmospheric nitrogen through bacteria that live on its roots. It is used in soil conservation schemes for renewing worn-out soils[171].

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in a light loam in full sun[1]. The top growth is not very cold tolerant, although the rootstock is considerably hardier. Plants are usually cut back to the ground in all but very mild winters, though they generally resprout well from the base in the following spring and flower in late summer[182]. In addition to the normally pollinated sexual flowers, this species also produces clusters of cleistogamous flowers in the leaf axils[266]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow it in spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in individual pots in a frame. It can be difficult to get the cuttings through their first winter, it is best to plunge the pots in a bed of ashes in a sheltered border outdoors[78].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Kummerowia stipulaceaKorean Lespedeza, Korean cloverAnnual0.4 0-0 FLMHNDM013
Kummerowia striataCommon Lespedeza, Japanese cloverAnnual0.2 0-0  LMHSNM213
Lespedeza bicolorLespedeza, Shrub lespedezaShrub3.0 4-8 MLMSNDM304
Lespedeza buergeri Shrub1.5 5-9  LMNM10 
Lespedeza capitataRoundhead LespedezaShrub1.0 4-8  LMNM123
Lespedeza cyrtobotryaLeafy lespedezaShrub2.0 5-9  LMNM101
Lespedeza floribunda Shrub0.6 -  LMNM10 
Lespedeza formosaOriental lespedezaShrub2.0 5-9  LMNM003
Lespedeza junceaChinese Lespedeza, Juncea lespedezaShrub1.2 4-8  LMNM111
Lespedeza maximowiczii Shrub3.5 4-8  LMNM003
Lespedeza pilosa Perennial0.6 -  LMNM11 
Lespedeza tomentosa Perennial1.0 -  LMNM10 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(Dum.Cours.)G.Don.

Botanical References

1158266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Ed DeWalt   Mon Jun 2 2008

Hey there, do a little research into the plants you promote. This is an nasty invasive species that takes over where ever it has escaped in North America. Please do not tell anyone in North America that it is appropriate to plant it cause we don't want it!

New Invaders Watch List

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