Biological Name:
Lespedeza cuneata (Sericea-Lespedeza)
Natural Habitat:
Sericea-Lespedeza: Grassy areas, North America
Description:
Sericea-Lespedeza also known as Lespedeza is a plant that is native to grassland and prairie regions of North America. It is a perennial shrub that can grow up to six feet tall and it has small oval-shaped leaves and showy pink or purple flowers that bloom in the summer. The plant is often used as a forage crop for livestock and it is known for its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil improving soil fertility.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is sericea lespedeza good for cattle?
A: Sericea is not a preferred plant of cattle. When it emerges in early spring, cattle will graze the young succulent plant growth. As the season progresses and the temperature increases, the tannin content of the plant will accelerate and at this stage it is almost completely avoided by cattle.
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Q: Will deer eat lespedeza?
A: The flowers are visited by a variety of native bee species as well as some butterflies. The plants are high in protein and eaten by many herbivores both wild (e.g. deer, rabbits, groundhogs) and domestic (e.g. cattle, goats).
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Q: Does lespedeza make good hay?
A: In terms of yield, however, lespedeza lags alfalfa and clover, though this handicap is countered somewhat by lower production costs, including the plant’s preference for no fertilizer. Some hay growers will mix lespedeza with grasses, such as orchardgrass, to improve the quality of fall hay harvests.
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Q: Is lespedeza an invasive plant?
A: Chinese or Sericea lespedeza was introduced in the late 1800s by federal and state agencies for use in bank stabilization, erosion control, soil improvement, mine reclamation, forage, hay and other purposes. It has been escaping from plantings for many years and is a well established invasive plant.
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Q: What is the best clover for cattle?
A: White clover is the most tolerant of grazing. Red clover provides greater forage yields and will be productive later into the summer than white clover. Annual lespedeza will provide more production during mid to late summer, especially on droughty hillsides.
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Q: What is the best clover for pasture?
A: The most commonly used perennial clovers in the United States are white clover and red clover. These clovers can be grown throughout much of the nation (especially in the Midwest, Northeast, and Northwest) in areas in which there is a suitable soil pH, adequate fertility, and good soil moisture during most of the year.
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Q: What kills sericea lespedeza?
A: If grazing is not an option, apply a herbicide containing triclopyr or triclopyr+ fluroxypyr to vegetative growth from June to mid-July, and/or herbicides containing metsulfuron to developing flowers from mid-July to late-September.
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Q: Will goats eat lespedeza?
A: Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata L.) is a high-tannin forage that has been scientifically proven to reduce parasite loads in sheep and goats. More recent research has shown that sericea lespedeza pellets may offer natural control of coccidiosis.
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Q: Will sheep eat sericea lespedeza?
A: Research has shown that sericea lespedeza can be a cost-effective natural dewormer and nutritional feed resource for sheep and goats whether grazed or fed as hay, leaf meal, or pellets.
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Q: Is sericea lespedeza invasive?
A: 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.
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Q: What is lespedeza good for?
A: Annual lespedeza is an acid-tolerant, drought-resistant, summer annual legume useful for pasture, hay and soil improvement.
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Q: Is lespedeza good for bees?
A: Lespedeza species are wild meadow plants that are useful to bees and birds. They are not suited as a border plant in an ordered perennial garden. As with most pea family plants it adds nitrogen to the soil. Often visited by pollinators, this bush clover grows in dry, sunny areas.
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Q: Do goats like lespedeza?
A: Tom Terrill – They do even cattle and sheep and goats all like it as hay. Goats eat it straightaway as pasture.
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Q: Is lespedeza good for hay?
A: Sericea lespedeza is a long-lived, deep-rooted, drought resistant perennial that will grow on heavy, well-drained soils throughout the state. It grows erect, with stems 2 – 4 ft tall and can be used for grazing, hay, or soil conservation.
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Q: How does sericea lespedeza spread?
A: 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).
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Q: Is lespedeza good for goats?
A: Research has shown that sericea lespedeza can be a cost-effective natural dewormer and nutritional feed resource for sheep and goats whether grazed or fed as hay, leaf meal, or pellets.
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