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Lespedeza capitata - Michx.

Common Name Roundhead Lespedeza
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry fields[222]. Sandy open woods or open ground in Texas[274].
Range N. America - Maine to Florida, west to Kansas and Texas.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Lespedeza capitata Roundhead Lespedeza


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez
Lespedeza capitata Roundhead Lespedeza
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Lespedeza capitata is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from August to October. 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

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Tea

The leaves have been boiled to make a tea[257].

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.
Antidote  Antirheumatic  Cancer  Kidney

The plant contains several biologically active compounds. Pharmaceutical preparations are manufactured from them[222]. An extract of the plant is of disputed utility in chronic kidney disease[222]. Experimentally, it has demonstrated antitumor activity against Walker-256 carcinosarcoma and is also reportedly effective in lowering blood cholesterol levels[222]. It is also believed to reduce blood levels of nitrogen compounds in persons with high nitrogen levels in their urine[222]. The root has been used as an antidote to poisoning[257]. The stems have been used in moxibustion in the treatment of neuralgia and rheumatism[222, 257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
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PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

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Other Uses

Nitrogen Fixer.

Special Uses

Food Forest  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]. 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]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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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,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant 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 Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada, Ontario (south), United States, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota (southeast), Wisconsin, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida (north), Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas (east),

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 cuneataChinese Lespedeza, Sericea lespedezaShrub1.0 0-0  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.

 

Expert comment

Author

Michx.

Botanical References

200235

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Attilio D'Alberto   Tue Mar 20 2007

Attilio D'Alberto Online journal covering all aspects of Chinese medicine

Edward Fletcher   Wed May 30 2007

We have Lespedeza capitata botanical raw material for sale.

Stephanie   Thu Oct 23 2008

I work at a compounding pharmacy in Vermont and need to purchase bulk lespedeza capitata. We compound for humans and animals and we have having a VERY hard time finding it. IF any one can help me out that would be great. We need the bulk plant already ground and ready to go....no seeds. We would keep this person/company as our supplier and keep them at the top of the list for any other herbs we might need. Thank you. Steph

Ed Fletcher   Thu Apr 30 2009

Dear Stephanie, I have bulk Lespedeza capitata in stock. Would like to have you e-mail me with your requirements and any specifications on the material you need. Would answer any questions you might have. Sincerely Edward Fletcher [email protected]

jose   Tue Nov 3 2009

puede cambiar el ph

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