u 



CIRCULAR 863, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



than those of sericea This conclusion is based on a number of 

 observations, but no exact measurements are available. L. jancea 

 resembles L. cuneata but is somewhat more bushy and less leafy 

 and does not grow as tall and erect as L. cuneata. The stems 

 are reddish, and the leaflets are long and oval, not truncate as 

 in L. cuneata (28). From the few determinations so far made 

 it is believed to have about the same tannin content as L. cuneata. 

 Its value for forage has not been determined. 



Lespedeza latissima has a prostrate or semiprostrate habit. In 

 one strain, No. 19283, the branches lie flat on the ground. Another 

 strain, No. 19285, produces numerous stems that are at first erect 

 but soon bend down so that the plant forms a low bush about 1 foot 

 high. Other species belonging to the sericea group are L. in- 

 schanica, having larger leaflets and coarser growth, and L. cys- 

 toides, having long narrow, pointed leaflets. These have been 

 described (28) but have not been tested for erosion control or 

 forage value. 



Lespedeza daurica appears in two forms, one erect, the other 

 prostrate. Both have coarse stems, relatively few in number, and 

 coarse leaves. Seed production is abundant, and the species may 

 have value as food for wildlife. L. tomentosa is a coarse, erect 

 plant with large tough leaves. With the possible exception of the 

 use of the seeds by game birds these two species do not appear 

 to be of economic importance. 



Figure 17. — Lespedeza bicolor holding a bank. 



