Common Name: Sericea Lespedeza, Chinese Lespedeza
Scientific Name: Lespedeza cuneata
Identification: Sericea Lespedeza is a perennial upright forb reaching 3 to 6 feet in height. Leaves are alternate and composed of numerous 3-leaflet clusters. The small leaves are usually green with white beneath. The stem is gray-green. The white flowers are composed of 1 to 3 pea-like flowers and appear from July to September. Clustered legume pods are scattered around the stem, contain one seed, and mature from October to March.
Ecology: Sericea Lespedeza occurs in forest openings and dry to wet sites. The invasive forb is flood tolerant and forms dense stands by sprouting from roots. The species spreads from plantings and the seeds can remain viable for decades.