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Lespedeza bicolor

Shrubby lespedeza

Synonym(s):
Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Duration and Habit: Perennial Subshrub

Photographer: J. Miller
Source: Invasive Plants of the Eastern United States, Bugwood.org

Description

Perennial multi-branched, leguminous forb growing 3 to 10 feet (1 to 3 m) in height. Leaves have three-leaflet and presents numerous small Purple-to-white pea flowers. It creates single-seeded pods from a woody rootcrown. Dormant brown plants remain upright most of the winter.

Native Lookalikes: Currently no information available here yet, or there are no native Texas species that could be confused with Shrubby lespedeza.

Ecological Threat: Shrubby lespedeza is an extremely aggressive invader of open areas, forming dense thickets, which displace native vegetation. Although shrub lespedeza impacts were not quantified, several sources indicate that native vegetation, forest regeneration, wildlife habitat, and land management options can be negatively affected in heavily invaded areas.

Biology & Spread: Flowers are most common in August and early September (may appear May to July or as late as October). Seeds are generally mature in October or early November. Some seeds drop when ripe, but the rest fall off gradually through the fall and winter. Shrub lespedeza reproduces from seed, but following top-kill or aboveground damage, shrub lespedeza regenerates by root crown sprouts.

History: Introduced from Japan as an ornamental in the late 1800s. Later programs promoted use for wildlife food and soil stabilization and improvement. Still planted for quail food plots.

U.S. Habitat: Forested and Shrubby areas.

Distribution

U.S. Nativity: Introduced to U.S.

Native Origin: North China (Manchuria) and Japan

U.S. Present: AL, AR, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV

Distribution in Texas: Reported from Houston to Nacogdoches.

Mapping

Invaders of Texas Map: Lespedeza bicolor
EDDMapS: Lespedeza bicolor
USDA Plants Texas County Map: Lespedeza bicolor

Native Alternatives

Management

Fire is not recommended as Shrub lespedeza is well adapted to survive fire. Seeds are heat tolerant, and several studies report abundant shrub lespedeza seedlings on burned sites. Postfire sprouting is also common.
Mechanical: Heavy and repeated cutting or grazing can decrease shrub lespedeza cover; however, timing and duration of these treatments were not described.

Chemical: In one report, mowing 1 to 3 months prior to treating with herbicides increased effectiveness.

USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.

Text References

Bailey, L.H. and E.Z. Bailey. 1977. Hortus Third: A Concise Dictionary of Plants Cultivated in the United States and Canada, MacMillan Publishing Co., Inc., New York.

Rehder, Alfred. 1967. Manual of Cultivated Trees and Shrubs: Hardy in North America, The MacMillan Co., New York.

Online Resources

Bugwood Network. Lespedeza bicolor. (http://www.invasive.org/search/action.cfm?q=Lespedeza%20bicolor).

https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/shrub/lesbic/all.html

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