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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Lespedeza_bicolor is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft 10in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not 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 can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Young leaves and stems - cooked[105, 177, 179, 183]. Flowers - cooked[177, 183]. Seed - cooked[105, 177, 179]. Occasionally boiled and eaten with rice[183]. The leaves are used as a tea substitute[177, 183, 266]..

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

The seed oil is used as a lubricant[266]. The branchletsare used for making baskets[266]. Because this species tolerates arid soils, it is grown as a windbreak, and for sand stabilization, and soil conservation[266].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in a well-drained light loam in full sun[1, 182]. Succeeds in light shade and in dry soils[266]. The top growth is not very cold tolerant, although the rootstock is hardy to about -25°c. 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]. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 8 through 5. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) 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 multistemmed with multiple stems from the crown [1-2].

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

Ezo-yama-hagi, Hagi,

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Found In

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

Asia, Australia, China, Hawaii, Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Pacific, Russia, Siberia, Taiwan, USA,

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
Lespedeza bicolor	Lespedeza, Shrub lespedeza	Shrub	3.0	4-8	M	LM	SN	DM	3	0	4

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

Turcz.

Botanical References

11200266

Links / References

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

Readers comment


Gayle	Wed Jun 11 19:53:12 2003

Hello,

I had to comment on your listing of lespedeza. It is an invasive non-native species which is destroying rangeland in Kansas and Oklahoma throughout the southeast. Some counties in Kansas have been declared a disaster area in order to get funding to fight this pest. Studies have shown that although it is a legume, it does not effectively fix nitrogen. In addidion, its roots produce chemicals which inhibit other plant growth such that it eventually crowds out native species. Seed is still sold. It is planted by hunters to provide quail habitat. Quail spread the seeds effectively. It was originally introduced as erosion control on dams and banks. An analogy would be kudzu, which worked for the intended purpose but escaped and became a pest. People should not be encouraged to plant this exotic without a disclaimer that containment measures should be taken.

Gayle

Oklahoma

Lespedeza_bicolor - Turcz.