Common Name:

General Information

Lespedeza thunbergii is an erect, much-bramched perennial plant with stems that can become more or less woody and persist; it can grow 1 - 3 metres tall[]. The stems become arching towards the top[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of materials. It is often grown as an ornamental.
Widely grown as an ornamental and possibly of hybrid origin - due to the uncertainty of it being a truly wild species Lespedeza thunbergii is classified as 'Data Deficient' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - central and southern China, Japan, Korea northern India.

Habitat

Mountain slopes, forest margins, roadsides and thickets; at elevations up to 2,800 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Data Deficient
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Lespedeza thunbergii is a moderately cold-hardy plant, the rootstock being able to tolerate temperatures down to about -20°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 and early autumn[]. 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[, ].
Prefers a position in full sun, tolerating partial shade[]. Grows in most well-drained soils, flowering best in soils of low fertility[]. Established plants are somewhat drought tolerant[].Easily grown in a light loam in full sun[].
A very ornamental plant[]. It flowers on the current seasons growth and so the plant is often trimmed back to ground level in early spring in order to encourage vigorous new growth[].
Plants can self-sow in a garden situation[].
This species is extremely variable in the shape of leaflets, size of flowers and split-length of calyx. However, these characters are continuous and overlapping, without a clearly defined concept and cannot be used to distinguish different species or infraspecies[].
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

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The twigs are used in making brooms[]. (as Lespedeza formosa)

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[].
Division by pulling or chopping the root-stock into the smaller pieces about mid spring. Pieces small enough, with root attached, may be potted and placed in a propagator where there is bottom-heat[].