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Lespedeza juncea - (L.f.)Pers.

Common Name Chinese Lespedeza, Juncea lespedeza
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats River banks in Manchuria. Open places at elevations of 1000 - 2000 metres in Nepal[272]. Mountain slopes and thickets below 1500 metres in China[266].
Range E. Asia - China, Himalayas.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Lespedeza juncea Chinese Lespedeza, Juncea lespedeza


Lespedeza juncea Chinese Lespedeza, Juncea lespedeza

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Lespedeza juncea is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.2 m (4ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 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. hedysaroides. Hedysarum juncea.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Young leaves and shoots - cooked[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.
Astringent  Dysentery

The juice of the roots is used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery[272].

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]. Related to L. sericea[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].

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

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Afghanistan (east), Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia (Eastern Siberia (Dahuria)), Mongolia, Russian Federation (Primorye, Amur), China (north), Korea, Japan TROPICAL ASIA: Bhutan, India (Himalayan region), Nepal, Pakistan (north)

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 formosaOriental lespedezaShrub2.0 5-9  LMNM003
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

(L.f.)Pers.

Botanical References

11200266

Links / References

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