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Lespedeza formosa - (Vogel.)Koehne.

Common Name Oriental lespedeza
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Mountain slopes, forest margins, roadsides and thickets below 2800 metres[266].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Lespedeza formosa Oriental lespedeza


Lespedeza formosa Oriental lespedeza

 

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Summary

Note: Lespedeza formosa (Vogel) Koehne is a synonym of Lespedeza thunbergii (DC.) Nakai


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Lespedeza formosa is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft 7in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in 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. formosa. Koehne. L. sieboldii. L. thunbergii (DC.) Nakai

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

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.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Broom

The twigs are used in making brooms[151].

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]. A very ornamental plant[1]. This species is extremely variable in the shape of leaflets, size of flowers and split-length of calyx. However, these characters are continuous and overlapping, without a clearly defined concept and cannot be used to distinguish different species or infraspecies[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

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

Fahrenheit:

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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

Thunberg's bushclover, Thunberg's lespedeza,Shrub lespedeza.

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Fujian Sheng, Guangdong Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Jiangsu Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng), Hong Kong, Taiwan

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 cuneataChinese Lespedeza, Sericea lespedezaShrub1.0 0-0  LMNM123
Lespedeza cyrtobotryaLeafy lespedezaShrub2.0 5-9  LMNM101
Lespedeza floribunda Shrub0.6 -  LMNM10 
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

(Vogel.)Koehne.

Botanical References

11200266

Links / References

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

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