SERICEA AND OTHER PERENNIAL LESPEDEZAS J 



These lots were planted in the legume nursery at Arlington Ex- 

 periment Farm, and L. cuneata No. 12087 appeared to be of 

 most promise. Seed of 12087 was distributed for trial in suc- 

 ceeding years as was that descended from the original Knapp 

 introduction which was given No. 04730. Later a limited amount 

 of seed of L. hedysaroides and L. latissima was distributed, but 

 up to the present time only L. cuneata has made any material 

 advance. The discussion in this circular will, therefore, relate to 

 L. cuneata unless some other species is named. 



During recent years L. cuneata has proved of value in erosion 

 control, and many plantings have been made for this purpose. Its 

 value for erosion control, hay, wildlife, and seed production has 

 been demonstrated. Some have called L. cuneata, Chinese les- 

 pedeza, but there is no good reason for this. The seed, as it came 

 to the United States Department of Agriculture from Japan, was 

 distributed as L. sericea, & synonym of L. cuneata. The name 

 "sericea" is widely used as a common name and, in this circular 

 L. cuneata will be referred to as sericea. 



HABIT 



Sericea has a habit of growth like that of alfalfa. The current 

 growth matures seed and dies in late fall, and the new growth 

 comes from the crowns the following spring. During the first 

 season, one erect stem is produced. Additional stems come from 

 crown buds the following years so that in the third or fourth year 

 there may be 20 to 30 stems per plant. An isolated plant has 

 been known to produce 100 stems. 



The height of the first year's growth depends largely on the 

 methods of seeding. In cultivated rows the plants may attain a 

 height of 3 to 4 feet the first season and be well branched. If 

 the seed is broadcast, the first year's growth may be some 12 to 

 18 inches in a good season. Plants from a seeding in grain or 

 on weedy land or in a dry season may make only a few inches of 

 growth. 



In all cases the second year's growth will attain a height of 2 to 

 5 feet, depending on moisture and soil conditions, will be dense, 

 and will be well branched unless the stand is very thick. Full 

 growth is usually attained the second season, but if the first 

 season's growth is very short by reason of severe conditions full 

 growth may not be attained until the third season (fig. 1). 



The roots are woody and widely branched and penetrate the 

 soil to a depth of more than 3 feet (fig. 2) . They have been known 

 to penetrate tight clay soils (11). The size of the roots in a 

 mature stand will depend on the thickness of the stand. Isolated 

 plants have larger roots than those that are crowded. This 

 abundant and vigorous root system enables it to hold eroding soils 

 and to resist prolonged dry weather. Sericea has been reported 

 to have survived a 5-day overflow in Arkansas that killed alfalfa, 

 and in Alabama it has survived annual overflows that damaged 

 Johnson grass. 



