Introduction:
Chinese lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) Weed overgrown.
Lespedeza cuneata is a long-lived perennial that grows well in grasslands, pastures, along roadsides, drainage areas, fencerows and in other disturbed areas. It is often found as a weed in cultivated areas, fallow and abandoned fields, meadows and marshes. It is adapted to a wide range of climatic conditions and is tolerant of drought. Lespedeza cuneata can survive freezing winter temperatures, but is often damaged by late spring freezes. Lespedeza cuneata grows best in deep soils, such as deep sands with organic matter or sandy loams with clay loam subsoil. It will also grow on strongly acidic to neutral soils. Dispersal is aided by animals that consume the fruits then pass the seeds; autumn dispersal is aided by the collection of hay in infested fields.
Occurs in:
Agricultural areas, natural forests, range/grasslands, ruderal/disturbed, urban areas, wetlands.
Habitat description:
L. cuneata is adapted to a wide range of conditions. It is cultivated for pasture, from which it often escapes, and may also be found in grazed woodlands. In its native range in Asia, it grows on exposed ground and grassy lowlands. In North America, it occurs in disturbed habitats such as along roads, ditches, railroad tracks, and other moist, disturbed places. It is often found as a weed in cultivated areas, fallow and abandoned
Chinese lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) Distribution in North America shown in green.
fields, meadows, and marshes. It is adapted to a wide range of climatic conditions, is tolerant of drought, and grows best where annual rainfall is over 76 to 89cm. It prefers winters that are dry and summers that are wet. Stands of L. cuneata can survive freezing winter temperatures, but are often damaged by late spring freezes. It can survive flooding for up to ten days in cool, moving water, but cannot survive prolonged periods submerged in warm water. It can grow in shallow soils, but grows best in deep soils, such as deep sands with organic matter or sandy loams with clay loam subsoil. It will also grow on strongly acidic to neutral soils, but prefers soil pH of 6.0 to 6.5.
General impacts:
This plant is a colonizer of early to mid-seral grasslands and open forest communities. In a mixture with grass it usually becomes the dominant species after 3 to 4 years.L. cuneata’s deep taproot enables it to outcompete native plants for water and nutrients, especially during periods of prolonged drought. Although originally introduced as a forage plant, it has stems that become tough and unpalatable unless kept continually mowed or grazed. The number of stems produced by each plant increases each year, until large, pure stands are formed that can take over entire fields. In natural areas, these stands can become so dense that native plants are reduced. It also produces chemicals, such as tannins, that can inhibit the growth of other plants and promote the formation of pure stands of L. cuneata. It readily escapes from cultivation into native grasslands and agricultural areas, and can seriously impact natural areas.
Management information:
Close up of Chinese lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) Weed.
The potential for large-scale restoration of wildlands infested with L. cuneata is probably low, unless the entire area is continually treated for several consecutive years. Complete elimination of L. cuneata is difficult. If control efforts are applied when the infestation is still minimal, the potential for successful restoration is moderate to high.
Preventative measures: In the USA, the increasing range of L. cuneata can be slowed if it is no longer sold or planted as erosion control along highways or around reservoirs. Its use as a forage plant should also be halted. Listing of L. cuneata as a noxious species will facilitate stopping its spread.
Chemical: Spraying can kill mature plants, but large numbers of viable seeds can remain in the seed bank for several years. Pastures and rangelands must also be monitored for several years to determine if it is completely destroyed. Disturbed areas have a high potential for invasion by this weed. Plants are difficult to identify in the first year of growth and can develop into large stands before they are noticed. It is difficult to find and spray all the plants in an area.
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