sericea lespedeza

Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) is a perennial herbaceous plant in the pea family, native to East Asia but widely planted in American agriculture. It is known for its ability to grow on poor or eroded soils and is used as a forage and hay crop.12

This plant is part of the Lespedeza genus, which includes about 40 species adapted to warm, humid climates. These plants typically have leaves composed of three leaflets and possess symbiotic bacteria in their root nodules that fix nitrogen from the air into the soil, enriching its nutrient levels. Due to its extensive root system and dense growth, sericea lespedeza is also valuable for soil conservation efforts.2