SERICEA AND OTHER PERENNIAL LESPEDEZAS 45 



Of the oriental shrubby species Lespedeza bicolor, L. japonica, 

 and L. thunbergii have long been known in North America as 

 ornamental plants, sometimes under other names (1). Other 

 ornamental species have been reported as being cultivated in 

 Europe, as L. delavayi, which has deep-violet or purplish-black 

 flowers (6) . L. bicolor is also being used in the Soil Conservation 

 Service along stream banks for wildlife food. It may prove useful 

 for stabilizing the sides of gullies and banks (fig. 17). L. bicolor 

 has been grown in Japan experimentally for hay production. 

 Yields and quality are said to have been good (17). This species 

 is also reported as having been used in Korea and Japan for 

 erosion control on steep slopes. In Korea stress is laid on the 

 need for inoculation. It is advisable to mix the seed with soil 

 known to be well inoculated and to sow in shallow furrows on 

 the contour. Under such treatment it is said to do well on 

 sterile, badly eroded areas. The stems of L. bicolor are used in 

 Korea for basket making. 



A closely related species, Lespedeza cyrtobotrya, has been grown 

 in the Arlington Experiment Farm nurseries and at various 

 points in the South. While the leaves of L. bicolor and L. cyrto- 



$ 



i # 





v 



*1 • 



9 A a$k 





ii|§§ 



% 



m 



*»! W ««|. 



Figure 18. — Seeds of Lespedeza cuneata (A) are smaller than those of L. bi- 

 color (B). (About 1% times natural size.) 



