Description

Shrub lespedeza is a perennial legume native to eastern Asia. It grows 4 to 6 feet tall stems that may reach 1/2 inch in diameter. These stems die back to the ground annually. The leaves are usually 2 inches long and 1/2 inch wide, with a more linear appearance than oval. The pink to purple colored flowers emerge in great masses during late summer. Bees and insects are necessary to adequately pollinate lespedezas. This species of lespedeza easily hybridizes with others of the genus, so isolation is necessary. The small, black, bean-like, seeds are singly produced in pods which open when mature. Seed maturity occurs from late September to early October. Approximately 300 to 500 pounds of seed is produced per acre on production fields. There are about 72,000 seeds per pound. This species has a high frequency of hard-coated seed which must be cracked or removed to initiate germination.