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Published In: A General History of the Dichlamydeous Plants 2: 307. 1832. (Gen. Hist.) Name publication detailView in BotanicusView in Biodiversity Heritage Library
 

Project Name Data (Last Modified On 8/29/2017)
Acceptance : Accepted
Project Data     (Last Modified On 7/9/2009)
Status: Introduced

 

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Lespedeza cuneata (Dum. Cours.) G. Don (sericea lespedeza, Chinese lespedeza)

Pl. 401 c, d; Map 1769

Plants perennial herbs. Stem 50–150 cm long, 2–5 mm in diameter near the base, unbranched or branched above the midpoint, densely pubescent with appressed to somewhat spreading hairs mostly confined to conspicuous, white, longitudinal ridges running the length of the stem. Primary leaves with the petiole 2–12 mm long (shorter toward the stem tip), 0.3–0.5 mm wide, densely pubescent with appressed or slightly spreading hairs. Stipules 2–8 mm long, hairlike. Leaflets 1–3 cm long, 2–6 mm wide (mostly more than 3 times as long as wide), those of the uppermost leaves usually smaller, narrowly oblanceolate to narrowly oblong, narrowly angled or tapered at the base, truncate at the tip, but sometimes shallowly notched and usually with an abrupt, minute, sharp point at the very tip, often with a grayish appearance, both surfaces densely appressed-hairy or the upper surface sometimes becoming glabrous. Axillary clusters of leaves sometimes developed. Inflorescences axillary clusters of 1–4 flowers from the median and upper leaves, shorter than or nearly equal to the associated leaves. Calyces with the tube 1.0–1.5 mm long, the lobes 2.5–4.0 mm long. Corollas 5–9 mm long, creamy white with purple markings or markings on the banner, the keel about as long as the wings. Fruits from open flowers 3.0–4.5 mm long, the calyx nearly equal in length; fruits from cleistogamous flowers 2.0–3.5 mm long, the calyx slightly shorter than to somewhat longer than the fruit. Seeds 1.5–2.0 mm long, olive green to brown. 2n=18, 20, 22. August–October.

Introduced, scattered to common nearly throughout the state (native of Asia; introduced in the eastern U.S. west to Nebraska and Texas, Canada). Upland prairies, loess hill prairies, glades, banks of streams and rivers, and margins of ponds and lakes; also old fields, mine spoils, quarries, railroads, roadsides, and open disturbed areas.

Although originally planted for forage, erosion control, soil enrichment, and wildlife food, L. cuneata escapes and readily invades native plant communities. The states of Kansas and Colorado have designated this species a noxious weed and it is considered an invasive exotic nearly everywhere that it grows in North America. The species is difficult to control, especially in grassland communities, as it responds well to the same environmental cues to which warm-season grasses and summer-flowering forbs respond. It spreads easily along roadsides, and also as a contaminant on road-grading equipment and farm combines. Until the recent past, sericea lespedeza was still planted widely following highway improvement projects, often in large monocultures. Lespedeza cuneata is not known to hybridize with any of the native North American species.

 


 

 
 
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