Sericea Lespedeza
Lespedeza cuneata · Warm-season, Perennial, C3-C4 intermediate legume
Grass Family
Fabaceae (Legume family, not a true grass)
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass and Forage
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type / Common invasive form
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9
About This Grass
An herbaceous perennial legume forming dense stands up to 3 to 6 feet tall with numerous fine-textured stems and wedge-shaped trifoliate leaves.
Blade Characteristics
Leaves are compound with three leaflets, wedge-shaped (cuneate), grayish-green, with prominent parallel side veins and pointed tips.
Root System
Deep, woody taproot system allowing high drought tolerance and rapid resprouting
Growing Information
Origin Region
Asia (China, Japan, Korea); widely introduced to North America
Growth Habit
Upright, bush-like, erect stems branching freely
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun, low to moderate water needs, highly drought tolerant, prefers well-drained soils
Mowing & Maintenance
High maintenance to control as a weed; resists frequent mowing by growing low if cut
Special Characteristics
High tannin content makes mature foliage unpalatable to livestock; extremely aggressive invasive weed species
Ecological Information
Considered a noxious invasive weed in North America, crowding out native prairie species and degrading wildlife habitats