Is Lespedeza cuneata a perennial?
Sericea lespedeza ( Lespedeza cuneata) is a warm-season, perennial legume with herbaceous to somewhat woody stems, with many erect, leafy branches. Since its introduction into Missouri last century, sericea lespedeza has been widely planted and has become naturalized in most, if not all, Missouri counties.
Is sericea lespedeza a perennial?
Sericea lespedeza ( Lespedeza cuneate) is the only perennial species used for forage production. This species is drought-resistant and can tolerate shade, but it is not well adapted to poorly drained soils. Sericea lespedeza is a shrubby plant that is about 2–5 feet tall.
What is Lespedeza in English?
Description. Common lespedeza, also known as Japanese clover, ( Kummerowia striata, syn. Lespedeza striata) is a very common summer weed that can easily choke out thin turf. It is often found in open woods and fields and frequently in disturbed areas and turf. Lespedeza is a mat-forming, wiry stemmed, prostrate, freely branched summer annual.
Does Lespedeza self seed?
Good drainage is essential. Tolerates drought. May self-seed in optimum growing conditions. Lespedeza capitata is a perennial species of bush clover that typically grows to 2-4' (less frequently to 5') tall on stiff upright stems.
What are the different types of lespedeza?
Sericea lespedezaLespedeza bicolorThunberg's lespedezaBush clovers/Lower classifications
Is lespedeza an invasive plant?
Shrubby lespedeza is listed as a nonnative invasive plant for forests in the Southeastern United States and has even become widespread enough to require control measures (Miller, 2003).
Do cows eat lespedeza?
The plants are high in protein and eaten by many herbivores both wild (e.g. deer, rabbits, groundhogs) and domestic (e.g. cattle, goats).
How does sericea lespedeza spread?
Sericea spreads from root crowns and seeds. Seed dispersal is primarily by birds and animals and by haying infested fields. Herbicide Application Timing Early summer: Begin treatment when Sericea lespedeza is a minimum of 8 inches tall (May to June).
How do I get rid of lespedeza?
A three-way herbicide is effective when removing lespedeza from lawns with centipede, St. Augustine, zoysia, tall fescue, and Bermuda grasses. It is vital that you always follow the directions when applying any herbicide. Apply herbicides in spring when the grass is starting to turn green.
Will deer eat lespedeza?
Warm-Season Perennial Legumes: Sericea lespedeza, bicolor lespedeza and perennial peanut are browsed by deer but are not normally planted for them.
What is lespedeza good for?
Annual lespedeza is an acid-tolerant, drought-resistant, summer annual legume useful for pasture, hay and soil improvement.
Do goats like lespedeza?
Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata L.) is a high-tannin forage that has been scientifically proven to reduce parasite loads in sheep and goats.
Is lespedeza hay good for goats?
Anthelmintic properties of Lespedeza Sericea lespedeza hay maintained anthelmintic activity when fed to goats. Feeding Sericea lespedeza hay to goats is an effective means of controlling parasitic nematodes and may be a potential supplement/replacement for chemical anthelmintics.
Is sericea lespedeza an invasive?
Sericea lespedeza - Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council Invasive Plant Manual. Sericea lespedeza is a member of the Pea or Fabaceae family. This invasive plant has spread throughout the eastern United States and is a significant threat to native prairies and rangelands.
Can horses eat lespedeza?
Horses accept lespedeza well, though some managers have noticed some peculiar eating habits among horses. Some will shake or paw at flakes of lespedeza to encourage leaves to fall off of the stems. Once the leaves are eaten, sometimes only a pile of stems remains.
What does sericea mean?
The specific name "sericea" comes from the Latin sericatus meaning "clothed in silken hair" and describes the downy foliage.
Is sericea lespedeza an invasive?
Sericea lespedeza - Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council Invasive Plant Manual. Sericea lespedeza is a member of the Pea or Fabaceae family. This invasive plant has spread throughout the eastern United States and is a significant threat to native prairies and rangelands.
Where did sericea lespedeza come from?
Sericea lespedeza is a native of eastern Asia and can trace its roots in the United States back to 1896, when it was first planted by the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station.
What is a lespedeza?
Lespedeza is a mat-forming, wiry stemmed, prostrate, freely branched summer annual. It has dark green trifoliate (arranged in threes) leaves with three oblong, smooth leaflets. Leaflets have parallel veins nearly at right angles to a prominent mid-vein. Its leaves have smooth edges and a short spur at the tip of each leaflet.
What is the color of the Lespedeza leaves?
Lespedeza has a semi-woody taproot and grows close to the ground, making it difficult to cut with a mower. It flowers in late summer with pink to purple , single flowers found in leaf axils on most of the nodes of the main stems.
What herbicides are used to kill centipede grass?
In addition to three-way herbicides there are several other herbicides that can be used for lespedeza control in home lawns. Atrazine may be used to control lespedeza in centipedegrass and St. Augustinegrass. Atrazine is a post-emergence broadleaf weed killer that also controls several common grassy weeds and has some pre-emergence activity.
How to discourage lespedezas?
To discourage lespedeza’s growth, it is recommended to increase the mowing height and to keep the soil’s pH and fertility at correct levels for the turfgrass species. For more information on growing healthy turfgrass, see HGIC 1201, Fertilizing Lawns; HGIC 1205, Mowing Lawns; and HGIC 1207, Watering Lawns.
What is the common weed that chokes out thin turf?
Common lespedeza, also known as Japanese clover, ( Kummerowia striata, syn. Lespedeza striata) is a very common summer weed that can easily choke out thin turf. It is often found in open woods and fields and frequently in disturbed areas and turf.
When do lespedezas start to grow?
Both annual and perennial types grow in a soil pH range of 4.5–7.0. They are short-day legumes that begin flowering in late August and set seed in mid-September to mid-October. When managed properly, annual lespedeza can re-seed itself.
When is the best time to plant annual lespedeza?
Annual lespedeza is more productive in late summer (July to mid-October) and can complement perennial warm-season grasses to improve yield and forage quality. Flower color in annual lespedeza species range from purple to light pink. Plants can grow to a height of 2–3 feet.
What is the name of the Japanese clover?
Striata lespedeza ( Kummerowia striata) is also known as common lespedeza or Japanese clover. Seeds are produced where the leaves join the main stem and have a blotched color. Hairs on the stems of striata lespedeza point downward, while hairs on Korean lespedeza point upward. Striata flowers later than Korean lespedeza, and seed production could be reduced by cool temperatures. Varieties include common, Kobe, Marion, and Legend. Kobe is the most common variety on the market. Varieties of this species are high seed producers that re-seed well in pastures. Striata lespedeza has a prostrate growth habit, which makes it better suited for grazing than hay production.
How tall is Sericea lespedeza?
To maintain hay quality, sericea should be harvested when it is 12–15 inches tall. Sericea lespedeza is generally high in tannin, which can cause poor acceptance from livestock. Sericea lespedeza is recognized for its high levels of crude protein, but quality is offset by high concentrations of tannins that bind with proteins, leaving them unavailable for digestion. Tannins also reduce the palatability and digestibility of forages. The level of tannins in sericea might also increase with maturity of the plant, high air temperature, and low rainfall. Livestock readily consume hay containing sericea lespedeza because field drying decreases the tannin concentration. Some of the most common varieties of sericea lespedeza include Arlington, Appalow, Cericea, Gasyn, Interstate, Interstate 76, Serala, Serala 76, AU Donnelly, AU Lotan (low levels of tannin and higher digestibility), and AU Grazer (grazing tolerant).
What are lespedezas used for?
Lespedeza Types Used as Forage Crops in the Southern U.S. Annual and perennial lespedezas are the forgotten warm-season legumes that can offer a lot of benefits in forage systems across the southern United States. Production acreage has declined significantly in the last 20 years. Lespedeza is a deep-rooted legume that be established successfully ...
What diseases can cause a lespedeza to die?
Several diseases and pests can cause great losses in lespedeza. Korean lespedeza cultivars are most susceptible to bacterial wilt. Rhizoctonia, powdery mildew, and southern blight are sometimes serious in southern states. Root-knot nematodes can damage annual lespedeza in sandy, Coastal Plain soils.
How much hay can a lespedeza produce?
Regrowth occurs from the buds in the crown of the plant, so leave a 3- to 5-inch residual height. Pure stands of lespedeza can produce 1–4 tons of dry matter per acre.
What is a sericea lespedeza?
Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) is a perennial weed that is commonly found in pasture areas. The woody stems grow upright. Individual leaves are oblong in shape, and appear to have been folded. Small white and purple flowers can be found in the axils of the leaves. An important identifying characteristic of sericea lespedeza is the stiff hairs that can be found on the stem.
How long can broadleaf grass live?
Perennial broadleaf turf weeds are capable of living more than two years. They thrive in weak, thin turf; golf fairways and roughs; home lawns; playfields; and industrial grounds. Proper turf maintenance is the key to control of this weed.
What is a lespedeza?
Lespedeza ( Kummerowia striata, syn. Lespedeza striata) is a dark green, wiry summer annual with trifoliate leaves. Several wide-spreading prostrate branches come from the slender taproot. It grows close to the ground and seldom is cut by a mower. It is a very common summer weed, choking out thin turf. Hairs grow downward on the stem.
What is a summer weed?
It is a very common summer weed, choking out thin turf. Hairs grow downward on the stem. Leaves are composed of three leaflets. Stipules are light to reddish brown. Small single flowers arise from the leaf axils on most of the nodes of the main stems and are pink or purple.
How tall does Sericea lespedeza grow?
It grows erect, with stems 2 – 4 ft tall and can be used for grazing, hay, or soil conservation. Sericea is frequently used for cover on road banks to prevent erosion.
How tall should a sericea be?
Therefore, sericea should be managed in such a way as to keep the plants growing vigorously. Grazing should begin when plants are 8 – 15 inches tall and should not be grazed closer than 4 inches. Hay harvests should be taken when plants reach 15 – 24 inches of height.
Is Sericea lespedeza good for forage?
Sericea provides good quality forage in summer when dry weather has reduced the growth of other forage crops. Sericea lespedeza also contains high concentrations of condensed tannins. High levels of these tannins will reduce forage digestibility.
Is Sericea Lespedeza anthelmintic resistant?
The use of sericea for this purpose holds significant promise as producers seek ways to reduce the buildup of anthelmintic-resistant populations of internal parasites. Low-tannin varieties of sericea lespedeza are also available, and these are more palatable than high-tannin varieties.
Can sericea be grown on soil?
Sericea can be grown on soils too acidic and infertile to support other forage legumes. However, it will not be very productive unless it is well fertilized. Sericea can provide moderate quality forage. However, as the stems get taller and the plant matures, the stems become highly lignified and very woody.
Why is Sericea lespedeza unpalatable?
Sericea lespedeza has a deep tap root that allows it to outcompete native plants for water and nutrients, especially in times of drought. It also contains tannin that makes it unpalatable, causing livestock to overgraze surrounding native plants, which reduce s biodiversity and competition to further sericea growth.
How long do Sericea lespedeza seeds last?
Each stem can drop a thousand seeds and these seeds can remain viable for 20 years or longer. Sericea lespedeza is designated a noxious weed in several Kansas counties.
How long does it take to cure Sericea lespedeza?
It will not be accomplished by a single treatment or practice. Follow-up treatments will be required for up to four to five years, but by year two or three, results should be noticeable and the intensity of the treatments reduced.
What are the options for control of Sericea lespedeza?
Body. Options available for control of sericea lespedeza include prescribed burns, grazing management, and mechanical and chemical methods. There are no biological controls approved for sericea lespedeza at this time other than grazing. + see more - show less.
When to burn Sericea lespedeza?
Late spring burns (May 15 to the end of June) may be effective if a fire will carry through the area at that time. Seed dormancy of sericea lespedeza can be broken by prescribed burning but resulting seedlings may be less viable.
Is Sericea lespedeza a perennial?
Sericea lespedeza ( Lespedeza cuneata) is a warm-season, perennial legume with herbaceous to somewhat woody stems, with many erect, leafy branches. Since its introduction into Missouri last century, sericea lespedeza has been widely planted and has become naturalized in most, if not all, Missouri counties.
Can burning sericea lespedeza be used to control sericea lespedeza?
Prescribed burning alone may not be effective in controlling sericea lespedeza. Fire may actually enhance germinating of sericea lespedeza seed. However, burning can be beneficial at getting sericea seeds stockpiled in the soil to germinate by other means, and September burns can be effective at aiding control in combination with other controls.
What is the difference between a Lespedeza virginica and a Sericea lespedeza?
Similar species: The native slender lespedeza ( Lespedeza virginica) does not have the distinct “fishbone-like” venation pattern that sericea lespedeza has. Also, the native has light to dark pink flowers.
When do Sericea Lespedeza bloom?
Sericea Lespedeza. A warm-season, perennial legume with erect, herbaceous to somewhat woody stems, with many erect, leafy branches. Blooms July-October. Flowers are 1/4 to 3/8 inch long and in clusters of mostly 2-3 in upper leaf axils. The petals are cream colored with purple or pink markings.
Why is Sericea Lespedeza unpalatable?
Although introduced in hopes of providing food for wildlife, sericea lespedeza is unpalatable compared to native species because of the high concentration of tannins in its tissues.
How to get rid of lespedeza weeds?
Removing Lespedeza from Lawns. The common lespedeza weed grows best in thin and dry turf that is compacted. Keeping your turf healthy by providing the proper nutrients for your soil type, maintaining the proper pH for your soil, and mowing on a regular schedule will impede the spread of these weeds and is one of the best ways for controlling ...
When to apply lespedeza herbicide?
It is vital that you always follow the directions when applying any herbicide. Apply herbicides in spring when the grass is starting to turn green.
What is the grass that competes with grass?
No one likes to combat weeds in their grass, and common lespedeza ( Kummerowia striata syn. Lespedeza striata) is a persistent perennial, woody weed that competes with your grass for nutrients late in the summer. This common weed, which bears a pink to purple flower, is also known as Japanese clover, lespedeza clover, or annual lespedeza.
What is the Japanese clover?
This common weed, which bears a pink to purple flower, is also known as Japanese clover, lespedeza clover, or annual lespedeza. It has a mat-forming habit and a semi-woody taproot, which hugs the ground. While getting rid of lespedeza clover may seem like a fruitless task, some control measures can be employed.
Can you take a soil sample for lespedeza weed?
If your turf is unhealthy, it is best to take a soil sample and have it tested in order to provide the nutrients recommended. A healthy lawn will keep lespedeza weed at bay easier than an unhealthy lawn.
