Chinese Bush Clover - Lespedeza cuneata












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				Chinese Bush Clover - Lespedeza cuneata Family: Fabaceae THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION Status: Invasive Location info: Silky Bush Clover occurs occasionally in the southern half of Illinois, and is rare or absent elsewhere. However, it may be spreading steadily northward within the state. It was introduced into the United States from east Asia. Habitats include fields, where it is occasionally planted as a source of forage and hay, and roadside banks, where it has been planted for erosion control. Other habitats include openings in upland woodlands, thickets, and prairie restorations. This species can invade many natural habitats and form dense colonies of plants. It is sometimes introduced into prairie restorations accidentally, probably as a contaminant of seed, and should be removed. The invasive potential of this species is quite high. Info: This plant is usually found in full sunlight at sites that are mesic to dry. It grows quite well in a slightly heavy clay-loam soil, and is not bothered much by foliar disease. Mature plants are quite drought tolerant. This introduced perennial plant is 2-4' tall. It branches frequently into multiple major stems at the base, which divide into much smaller side stems. These stems are held stiff and straight at about a 45° angle from the ground or from each other. The entire plant has a shrub-like appearance that is vase-shaped at the base. It is herbaceous, notwithstanding appearances to the contrary, as all the stems die down to the ground each winter. Each stem is light green, round but strongly ridged, and covered with lines of appressed or slightly spreading white hairs. The lower stems become brown and woody with maturity, and they lose most of their hairs. The alternate compound leaves are trifoliate with short petioles. The leaflets are up to ¾" long and ¼" across. They are oblong or oblanceolate, and have smooth margins. The upper surface of each leaflet is dull green and hairless, while the lower surface is covered with silky appressed hairs. The blade of each leaflet often angles upward along the central vein, and it often has a fine point at its tip. From 1-4 flowers develop from the axils of the compound leaves on short stalks. Each flower is about 1/3" long, and has a typical pea-like structure consisting of a broad standard and narrow keel. The petals are white or cream, usually with a patch of purple at the base of the standard. The pubescent calyx has 5 long teeth that often turn purplish green. The blooming period usually occurs during early fall and lasts about a month. There is no noticeable floral scent. Each flower can produce a short pubescent seedpod containing a single seed. The root system consists of a stout taproot. This plant spreads by reseeding itself and can form large colonies. Website, video, and graphics by Rob Nelson For more information on this plant or management please contact US Army Corp of Engineers