Lespedeza cuneata
Common names: Chinese bushclover, sericea lespedeza, sericea
Native regions and distribution: East Asia, China, Japan, Afghanistan, Inda, Pakistan and Australia; now found widely throughout the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Brazil, and Mexico.
Urban habitat: roadsides, open fields, pond edges
Ecological function: Erosion control. Can fix nitrogen in soil. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by insects. Its high tannin content makes it unpalatable to livestock and to most native wildlife although its seeds are consumed by some bird species like quail.
History: The plant was introduced to the U.S. in 1896 in North Carolina, used to control erosion and revegetate abandoned mine sites and as forage for livestock. It is considered invasive in Europe and in parts of the U.S. The plant may be allelopathic, producing chemicals that inhibit the growth of other plants. The whole plant is anthelmintic, depurative, and tonic. In China, a decoction of the plant has been used in the treatment of testicular tuberculosis, hernia, enuresis, dental caries, toothache, infantile marasmus, ascariasis, snake bites, skin ulcers, dysentery, and enteritis. Its young leaves are edible, cooked after soaking.