Sericea Lespedeza(Lespedeza cuneata L.)

Sericea Lespedeza

• Perennial legume native to eastern Asia

• Introduced into the U. S. in the late 1890’s as a potential forage species

• Used through the 1930’s – 1960’s for erosion control and wildlife cover/food

• Declared a noxious weed in Kansas, spreading and becoming more problematic in many other states

• Grows to height of 2-4 feet• Stems are hairy

– Parallel lines of dense white hairs

• Trifoliate leaf– Green on top – light grey-

green on bottom• Purple pea-like flowers in

July – Oct.• Seed is yellow to red-

orange in color

Sericea LespedezaDescription

Sericea LespedezaDistribution

Sericea LespedezaHabits

• Nitrogen fixer

• Drought and flood tolerant

• High tannin levels make it unpalatable to cattle• Planted in the Southeast still as forage

and wildlife legume

• Prefers full sun, but can tolerate shaded conditions

• Allelopathic: Sericea lespedeza residues reduced the germination, emergence, and biomass of rye and tall fescue (Kalburtji and Mosjidis 1993)

• Prolific seed producer– Can produce 600 -1,000

seed per plant– 600 – 1,000 lbs seed/acre

• Seed can remain viable for years– Some studies suggest up

to 20 years in the soil• Flowers July – Oct.• Seed dispersed

throughout the fall

Sericea LespedezaSeed

• 90% of the seed produced dies from competition in infested stands– Adult plants shade and suppress

seedlings• Seed can build up to a

substantial level in the seed bank

• Readily germinates when competition is removed– Intensive management can

reduce seed bank

Sericea LespedezaSeed

Sericea LespedezaControl - Chemical

• Chemical control is the most effective– Triclopyr (Remedy, Garlon 4, Redeem)– Fluroxypr (Pasturegard)– Metsulfron (Escort, Ally, Cimarron)

• Triclopyr and Fluroxypr seem to be most effective before flowering (May –July)

• Metsulfron more effective after flowering (Aug. – Sept.)– Slow kill (several weeks to asses effectiveness)

Altom et al. 1992; Koger et al. 2002; Ohlenbusch et al. 2001

• Chemical control can be effective (95% kill on exisiting plants)

• Must treat areas for multiple years– At least 3 years, most like more for

eradication

• 2,4-D does not work– “Burns” plant, but will not kill it

• Dicamba and Tordon are not effective

• Chemical treatments will kill non-targeted forbs– Spot treatments reduce collateral

damage to other forbs• Early detection and control are essential

• Multiple broadcast treatments are most effective IF there is no concern about non-targeted forb species

Sericea LespedezaControl -Chemical

• Burning is not effective at eradicating – Spring burns will stimulate germination and

growth• Can use in conjunction with herbicide treatment to

control

– Summer burns may be used to control seed development and control spread

Sericea LespedezaControl –Burning

• Goats will forage on serciea lespedeza– They will also forage on all

other broadleaves

Sericea LespedezaControl – Other

• Mowing can be used to control seed production in the fall, but will not impact existing plants

Questions?