Sericea Lespedeza
Lespedeza cuneata · Warm-season, perennial broadleaf legume (C3/C4 intermediate)
Grass Family
Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae (Legume family, not a true grass)
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass, Forage, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type / Common sericea lespedeza
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9, demonstrating strong heat and moderate cold tolerance.
About This Grass
An upright, herbaceous perennial plant growing 2 to 5 feet tall with numerous fine-stemmed branches. Leaves are densely crowded along the stems and consist of three small, oblong leaflets. Displays a light green to gray-green color, turning brown in winter. Produces small, yellowish-white or purple-tinged flowers followed by tiny, single-seeded pods.
Blade Characteristics
Leaves are trifoliate with linear to wedge-shaped (cuneate) leaflets, typically 1/2 to 1 inch long, featuring a prominent central vein and fine hairs on the underside, giving a grayish appearance. Not a true grass blade, lacks typical grass ligules and auricles.
Root System
Deep, woody taproot system with extensive branching crown. Highly drought-tolerant and difficult to eradicate once established. Does not form a sod.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to eastern Asia; widely naturalized in the eastern and southeastern United States, performing best in temperate and subtropical climates.
Growth Habit
Stiffly erect, bushy, branching stems growing from a woody crown; forms dense stands.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun for optimal growth. Highly drought-tolerant once established due to its deep taproot. Adapts well to poor, acidic, and nutrient-deficient soils, preferring well-drained conditions.
Mowing & Maintenance
Resistant to frequent mowing or grazing to a degree, but controlled primarily through targeted herbicides, prescribed burning, or intensive management. High maintenance as an invasive weed, low as an unmanaged pasture weed.
Special Characteristics
High tannin content makes mature foliage unpalatable to most livestock. Highly aggressive invasive weed that crowds out native vegetation and pasture grasses. Exceptional ability to control erosion on poor soils.
Ecological Information
Introduced species considered a noxious, invasive weed in many regions. Provides some cover for wildlife, but its dense monocultures severely degrade native prairie ecosystems and reduce biodiversity.