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Lespedeza_cuneata - (Dum.Cours.)G.Don.

Common Name Chinese Lespedeza, Sericea lespedeza
Family Fabaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Waste ground and grassy places all over lowland Japan[58]. Moist shady places near water, 1700 - 2300 metres in Kashmir[145].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan, Himalayas.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Full sun
Lespedeza_cuneata Chinese Lespedeza, Sericea lespedeza


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Dalgial
Lespedeza_cuneata Chinese Lespedeza, Sericea lespedeza
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Dalgial

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Lespedeza_cuneata is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
It is 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 cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

L. cuneata. (DumCours.)G.Don.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Young leaves - cooked after soaking[105, 177, 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.


The whole plant is anthelmintic, depurative and tonic[147]. A decoction is used in the treatment of testicular tuberculosis, hernia, enuresis, dental caries, toothache, infantile marasmus/ascariasis, snake and dog bites, skin ulcers, dysentery and enteritis[147]

References   More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

The plant has an extensive root system and fixes atmospheric nitrogen through bacteria that live on its roots. It is used in soil conservation schemes for renewing worn-out soils[171].

Special Uses

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]. In addition to the normally pollinated sexual flowers, this species also produces clusters of cleistogamous flowers in the leaf axils[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

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Taiwan TROPICAL ASIA: Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan (north), Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, Indonesia (Jawa), Philippines AUSTRALASIA: Australia (New South Wales, Queensland)

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 :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Lespedeza cuneataChinese Lespedeza, Sericea lespedezaShrub1.0 0-0  LMNM123

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.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(Dum.Cours.)G.Don.

Botanical References

1158266

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Ed DeWalt   Mon Jun 2 2008

Hey there, do a little research into the plants you promote. This is an nasty invasive species that takes over where ever it has escaped in North America. Please do not tell anyone in North America that it is appropriate to plant it cause we don't want it!

New Invaders Watch List

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