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Summary

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

Physical Characteristics

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

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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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Kummerowia stipulacea	Korean Lespedeza, Korean clover	Annual	0.4	0-0	F	LMH	N	DM	0	1	3
Kummerowia striata	Common Lespedeza, Japanese clover	Annual	0.2	0-0		LMH	SN	M	2	1	3
Lespedeza bicolor	Lespedeza, Shrub lespedeza	Shrub	3.0	4-8	M	LM	SN	DM	3	0	4
Lespedeza buergeri		Shrub	1.5	5-9		LM	N	M	1	0
Lespedeza capitata	Roundhead Lespedeza	Shrub	1.0	4-8		LM	N	M	1	2	3
Lespedeza cuneata	Chinese Lespedeza, Sericea lespedeza	Shrub	1.0	0-0		LM	N	M	1	2	3
Lespedeza cyrtobotrya	Leafy lespedeza	Shrub	2.0	5-9		LM	N	M	1	0	1
Lespedeza floribunda		Shrub	0.6	-		LM	N	M	1	0
Lespedeza juncea	Chinese Lespedeza, Juncea lespedeza	Shrub	1.2	4-8		LM	N	M	1	1	1
Lespedeza maximowiczii		Shrub	3.5	4-8		LM	N	M	0	0	3
Lespedeza pilosa		Perennial	0.6	-		LM	N	M	1	1
Lespedeza tomentosa		Perennial	1.0	-		LM	N	M	1	0

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.

Lespedeza formosa - (Vogel.)Koehne.