Common Name: Lespedeza

General Information

Lespedeza bicolor is an erect, much-branched, deciduous shrub growing 1 - 3 metres tall and wide[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials. It is cultivated in soil conservation projects and is also grown as an ornamental in gardens.
The plant has often been used as an ornamental and in soil conservation projects in the USA. It has escaped from cultivation, especially in southeastern USA, and become naturalized in native areas[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - Russia (E. Siberia, Far East), Mongolia northeast China, Japan, Korea

Habitat

Grassy places and thickets in lowland all over Japan[]. Mountain slopes, forest margins, roadsides, thickets and forests; at elevations from 150 - 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Lespedeza bicolor is a very cold-hardy plant, the rootstock is able to tolerate temperatures down to about -25°c when fully dormant. The top growth is much less hardy, however, and will be killed back to near the roots in all but very mild winters. However, plants will generally resprout freely from the base in the following spring and then flower in late summer[, ]. A long growing season is required if the seed is to ripen successfully, and a hot summer will more fully ripen the wood, thus making it more likely to survive the winter[, ].
Easily grown in a well-drained light loam in full sun[, ]. Succeeds in light shade and in dry soils[]. Prefers a moderately acid soil and does not do well on highly alkaline soils[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
A fairly fast-growing plant, on fertile sites it can be 2.7 metres tall in 3 - 5 years[].
Plants start producing seed when around 3 - 4 years old[].
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[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves and stems - cooked[, , , ].

Flowers - cooked[, ].

Seed - cooked[, , ]. Occasionally boiled and eaten with rice[].

The leaves are used as a tea substitute[, , ]..

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

Because this species tolerates arid soils and also fixes atmospheric nitrogen, it is grown as a windbreak, and for sand stabilization, and soil conservation[]. It can be used as a pioneer species for restoring soil and as a nurse shrub for the early stages of reforestation[].
The plant has been used successfully in the reclamation of mine spill sites in the Usa, but is no longer used because of its ability to become naturalized and invade native areas[].
The flowers are a good source of pollen and nectar, and the plant has a long flowering period, making it a good source of food for bees[].

Other Uses

The seed oil is used as a lubricant[].

The branchletsare used for making baskets[].

An extract of the bark is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].

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, mid summer 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[].