Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)


Lespedeza cuneata


RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS: High risk, score: 17


Australian/New Zealand Weed Risk Assessment adapted for Hawai‘i.

Research directed by C. Daehler (UH Botany) with funding from the Kaulunani Urban Forestry Program and US Forest Service

Information on Risk Assessments
Original risk assessment

Lespedeza cuneata (Chinese lespedeza, Sericea lespedeza)
Synonyms: Hedysarum sericeum Thunb. ex Murray (1784), Anthyllis cuneata Dumont de Courset (1811), Lespedeza sericea (Thunb. ex Murray) Miquel (1867), non Benth. (1852).

Answer

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

n

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

y=-1, n=-1

y

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

y=-1, n=-1

n

2.01

Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) – If island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute “wet tropical” for “tropical or subtropical”

See Append 2

1

2.02

Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) see appendix 2

2

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y=1, n=0

y

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

y

2.05

Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range? y=-2

?=-1, n=0

y

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

y

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

y

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

y

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

n

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

y

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

n

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y=1, n=0

4.1

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y=1, n=0

y

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

y

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

n

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

y

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

y=1, n=0

n

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

n

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

n

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

y

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

n

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

n

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

See left

2

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

y=1, n=-1

y

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

y

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

n

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

y

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

n

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

y

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

y

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

y=1, n=-1

y

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

y

8.04

Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire

y=1, n=-1

y

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

17

Supporting data:

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence

1.02

(1) 'Sericea lespedeza is a native of eastern Asia. It was first introduced in southern United States, and has now become naturalized from Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, and Texas, north to Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Oklahoma.' (2) It has successfully invaded the deep, well-drained loess soils of Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, and the deep red soils of the Piedmont Plateau (Appalachian Highlands).

(1)http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/nathis/exotic/vegman/twentytw.htm (2)http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/documnts/lespcun.html

1.03

No evidence 'Commercially available cultivars adapted to the northeast include ‘Interstate’, ‘Serala’, ‘Caricea’, and ‘Appalow’ (Japan). ‘Appalow’ is a prostrate form developed at the Quicksand Plant Materials Center in Kentucky.'

http://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/doc/fs_lecu.doc

2.01

(1) 'Chinese lespedeza is native to eastern Asia and was first introduced to the southern United States. Widespread use of lespedeza by federal and state agencies for bank stabilization, soil improvement, wildlife and forage and cover, and hay facilitated its spread throughout the eastern United States.' (2)Sericea lespedeza is native to Japan (3)L. cuneata is native to Asia and Australia. It is a common native plant in Korea, China, Taiwan, India, Australia, and on the Japanese islands of Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu (Ohiwi 1965).

(1)http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/lecu1.htm (2)http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/lescun/distribution_and_occurrence.html (3)http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/documnts/lespcun.html

2.02

[mainly a temperate native range]

2.03

'Chinese lespedeza can grow in a variety of habitats including severely eroded sterile soils. It will invade open woodlands, fields, prairies, borders of ponds and swamps, meadows, and open disturbed ground, but is intolerant of shade.'(2) Ecology: Lespedeza cuneata is adapted to tropical, subtropical and warm temperate areas with mean annual temperatures ranging from 10—29°C. It tolerates drought, high levels of aluminium, and low soil fertility. In the Philippines it occurs on grassy slopes, from 1200—2200 m altitude; in Taiwan it is common in open locations (roadsides, waste land, hill sides) up to 3100 m altitude.Daylengths of 13 hours or less are required for Lespedeza cuneata to flower.

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/lecu1.htm

(2) Mosjidis, J.A., 2003. Lespedeza cuneata (Dumont de Courset) G. Don. [Internet] Record number 3023 from TEXTFILE On-line. Faridah Hanum, I & van der Maesen, L.J.G. (Editors). PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation, Bogor, Indonesia. http://www.proseanet.org. Accessed: Thursday, 22 January 2004.

2.04

(1) 'Chinese lespedeza is native to eastern Asia and was first introduced to the southern United States. Widespread use of lespedeza by federal and state agencies for bank stabilization, soil improvement, wildlife and forage and cover, and hay facilitated its spread throughout the eastern United States.' (2)Sericea lespedeza is native to Japan (3)L. cuneata is native to Asia and Australia. It is a common native plant in Korea, China, Taiwan, India, Australia, and on the Japanese islands of Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu (Ohiwi 1965).

(1)http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/lecu1.htm (2)http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/lescun/distribution_and_occurrence.html (3)http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/documnts/lespcun.html

2.05

'It was introduced to the southeastern United States in the 1800s for forage and soil conservation. It has also been introduced to South Africa, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico (Pieters 1934; Donnelly et al. 1970; Hoveland & Donnelly 1985).'

3.01 (1) 'Sericea lespedeza is a native of eastern Asia. It was first introduced in southern United States, and has now become naturalized from Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, and Texas, north to Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Oklahoma.' (2) It has successfully invaded the deep, well-drained loess soils of Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, and the deep red soils of the Piedmont Plateau (Appalachian Highlands). (1)http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/nathis/exotic/vegman/twentytw.htm (2)http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/documnts/lespcun.html

3.02

No evidence

3.03

(1) 'L. cuneata readily escapes from cultivation into native grasslands and agricultural areas, and can seriously impact natural areas. … It is often found as a weed in cultivated areas, fallow and abandoned fields, meadows, and marshes.' (2)Listed as a common weed in Taiwan and Japan (3)a noxious weed in Kansas

(1)http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/documnts/lespcun.html (2)Holm et al. 1979. Geographic Atlas of World Weeds. (3)http://sain.sunsite.utk.edu/invasives/species38.shtml

3.04

(1) 'ECOLOGICAL THREAT: Chinese lespedeza, sometimes called sericea lespedeza, is primarily a threat to open areas such as meadows, prairies, open woodlands, wetland borders and fields. Once it gains a foothold, it can crowd out native plants and develop an extensive seed bank in the soil, ensuring its long residence at a site. Established dense stands of lespedeza suppress native flora and its high tannin content makes it unpalatable to native wildlife as well as livestock.' (2)A noxious weed in Kansas state. Abstract: Invasion of sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata (Dumont) G. Don) into oak savannas in southeast Kansas altered the composition, structure, and density of the native prairie component of the ecosystem and reduced the number of invertebrate species. Vegetation characteristics in clearings infested with sericea lespedeza were compared with uninfested clearings during the summer of 1996. Eighty 1 m2 quadrats were randomly placed in each of the 2 site conditions. The number of grass species d

(1)http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/lecu1.htm (2)http://sain.nbii.gov/invasives/species38.shtml

3.05

AB: The nature and control of exotic species in forests of the southern USA are reviewed. Various aspects of the problem are reviewed, including the ecology, origin, range, uses and herbicidal control of 16 of the most prevalent exotic trees, shrubs, vines and grasses (Albizia julibrissin, Melia azedarach, Sapium sebiferum, Lespedeza bicolor, Ligustrum japonicum, Ligustrum sinense, Rosa multiflora, Lonicera japonica, Lygodium japonicum, Pueraria lobata, Wisteria sinensis, Cynodon dactylon, Digitaria spp., Imperata cylindrica and Sorghum halepense ). Integrated weed control is recommended, with a biological control component.
[Lespedeza bicolor is considered a weed in forestry and subjected to control]

Miller, J. H. (1995) Exotic plants in southern forests: their nature and control. ED: Street, J.E. Herbicide-resistant crops: a bitter or better harvest? Proceedings of the 48th annual meeting of the Southern Weed Science Society, Memphis, Tennessee, USA, 16-18 January 1995., 1995, pp.120-126, 22 ref.

4.01

'Each leaf is divided into three smaller leaflets, about ½ to 1 inch long, which are narrowly oblong and pointed, with awl-shaped spines.'

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/lecu1.htm

4.02

(1) 'Abstract: Soil incorporation of sericea lespedeza [Lespedeza cuneata (Dum. de Cours) G. Don.] residues has been reported to inhibit growth of some forage grasses. No information is available on the performance of sericea lespedeza grown in association with warm-season perennial grasses. Laboratory and greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine if sericea lespedeza residues affect seed germination and seedling growth of bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] and bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge); if any such response was cultivar dependent; and if the response was subject to manipulation by N fertilization. Sericea lespedeza residues inhibited bermudagrass and bahiagrass growth, but did not affect their seed germination and emergence. No differences among cultivars of bermudagrass and bahiagrass in response to sericea lespedeza residues were found in the greenhouse. Nevertheless, differences among bermudagrass cultivars for tolerance to sericea lespedeza residues were observed in the labor

(1)http://sain.nbii.gov/invasives/species38.shtml (2)http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/documnts/lespcun.html

4.03

No evidence

http://www.omnisterra.com/bot/pp_home.cgi

4.04

(1) '… its high tannin content makes it unpalatable to native wildlife as well as livestock.' (2) 'Rangelands can be managed to control sericea lespedeza by burning, grazing, and fertilization. Prescribed burning of native grass in the late spring followed by intensive grazing with mature cattle will increase utilization on sericea lespedeza. Grazing infested sites with sheep and goats will provide effective control. Pastures should be properly fertilized and grazed during April and May to reduce the occurrence of sericea lespedeza.' (3)L. cuneata was widely planted in the southeastern U.S. as early as the 1900s as forage for livestock. Allelopathic compounds in L. cuneata, such as tannins, inhibit the growth of other plants while also making it unpalatable to animals. The leaves of L. cuneata are higher in tannin content than the stems, and the upper portions of the plant tend to be higher in tannin content than the lower stems (Minton 1951). As the plant ages, levels of tannins also increase, and grazers

(1)http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/lecu1.htm (2)http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/nathis/exotic/vegman/twentytw.htm (3)http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/documnts/lespcun.html

4.05

No evidence

4.06

(1)The following 13 fungi were found to be associated with Lespedeza cuneata: Alternaria sp.: DE - 94; MD - 94
Codinaea fertilis: NC - 282
Colletotrichum sp.: NC - 94; SC - 94
Colletotrichum trifolii: NC - 282
Erysiphe communis: China - 7190; Japan - 7190
Erysiphe polygoni: China - 8097 (see below ref 2)
Macrophomina phaseoli: TX - 94
Pellicularia filamentosa f. sasakii: LA - 714
Pseudoplea briosiana: GA - 94
Sclerotium rolfsii: GA - 1126
Uromyces lespedezae-procumbentis: China - 8097, 8097, 8418, 8418,
36727, 36727; Japan - 6830, 6830; Taiwan - 8249, 8249, 8303, 8303
Uromyces lespedezae-procumbentis var. lespedezae-procumbentis: Japan - 6973
Uromyces scaberulus: China - 6555
(2)' Powdery mildew (Erysiphe polygoni D.C.) is the mostdevastating diseas

(1)http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/all/FindRecOneFungusFrame.cfm (2)http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:4CzmRQR0xNcJ:www.elsevier.com/gej-ng/10/25/40/84/48/36/article.pdf+++Erysiphe+polygoni:&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

4.07

No evidence

4.08

(1)'Rangelands can be managed to control sericea lespedeza by burning, grazing, and fertilization. Prescribed burning of native grass in the late spring followed by intensive grazing with mature cattle will increase utilization on sericea lespedeza. Grazing infested sites with sheep and goats will provide effective control. Pastures should be properly fertilized and grazed during April and May to reduce the occurrence of sericea lespedeza. Fire has been used on non-rangeland infestations with some success. Late spring burns (May 15 to the end of June) may be effective if a fire will carry through the area at that time. Seed dormancy of sericea lespedeza can be broken by prescribed burning but resulting seedlings may be less viable. Breaking seed dormancy by burning may be preferable to allowing natural processes to accomplish this, since a persistent, long-lived seed bank may add new plants to the site for years to come. By forcing more seeds to germinate, following up with a mechanical or chemical treatme

(1)http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/nathis/exotic/vegman/twentytw.htm (2)http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/lescun/fire_ecology.html (3)http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/lescun/fire_effects.html

4.09

(1)Intolerant of shade. (2)Sericea lespedeza is probably shade intolerant. (3)Sericea lespedeza tolerates shade quite well, establishing in dense shade where direct sunlight does not reach during the day. [conflicting information]

(1)http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/lecu1.htm (2)http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/lescun/botanical_and_ecological_characteristics.html (3)http://mdc.mo.gov/landown/grass/sericea/

4.1

(1) 'It grows best on deep, well-drained, medium to coarse textured soils. Chinese lespedeza is tolerant of low pH (4.5) and infertile soils. Optimum pH range is 6.0-6.5. ' (2) 'Sericea lespedeza grows well on many kinds of soils but does best on deep well-drained loess soils. It grows satisfactorily on moderately well-drained soils and on many sandy soils. It grows well on sandy loams that have a clay loam subsoil within 18 to 24 inches (45-60 cm) of the surface and on deep sands that are well supplied with organic matter[9]. Sericea lespedeza also grows on hardpan soils if the hardpan is deep enough below the soil surface for roots to develop above it [11].  Sericea lespedeza grows on soils ranging in pH from 4.0 to 7.0 but does best on soils with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5.'

(1)http://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/doc/fs_lecu.doc (2)http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/lescun/botanical_and_ecological_characteristics.html

4.11

Not a vine - herbaceous or sometimes woody shrub.

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/lecu1.htm

4.12

It shows great resistance to summer drought and an ability to form a dense stand on sterile, steep, or eroded slopes.'

http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/nathis/exotic/vegman/twentytw.htm

5.01

Terrestrial

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/lecu1.htm

5.02

'Chinese lespedeza is a warm season, perennial herb in the pea family, or Fabaceae. It has an erect growth form, ranging from about 3 to 5½ feet in height …'

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/lecu1.htm

5.03

(1) Ablity of fix nitrogen (2) 'Chinese lespedeza is a warm season, perennial herb in the pea family, or Fabaceae. It has an erect growth form, ranging from about 3 to 5½ feet in height …' (3) 'Chinese lespedeza has light green stems 3-5 feet tall having few branches. New growth arises from the crown each year. A plant two or three years old may have 20-30 stems. New shoots are succulent and tender until they reach 12 to 18 inches, when they become woody and fibrous. '

(2)http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/lecu1.htm (3)http://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/doc/fs_lecu.doc

5.04

"In August, shoot growth decreases and nutrient reserves are built up in the taproot for winter storage. "; "In the United States, crown buds appear below ground level toward the end of the season and remain dormant until spring. In spring, new stems arise from those buds as soon as the temperature rises." [taproot not equivalent to geophyte]]

Mosjidis, J.A., 2003. Lespedeza cuneata (Dumont de Courset) G. Don. [Internet] Record number 3023 from TEXTFILE On-line. Faridah Hanum, I & van der Maesen, L.J.G. (Editors). PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation, Bogor, Indonesia. http://www.proseanet.org. Accessed: Thursday, 22 January 2004.

6.01

No evidence

6.02

'Scarification is necessary for the germination of lespedeza seeds. Mature seeds of this genus remain viable for up to twenty years; one study found a germination rate of 60% after cold storage for 55 years. Seedlings may represent only 1% of the seeds actually available in the soil. '

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/lecu1.htm

6.03

'Little crossing occurs among different species of the genus Lespedeza (Pieters 1934). L. cuneata can produce viable hybrids from crossings with L. latissima, L. inschanica, and L. hedysaroides (Hanson & Cope 1955a). No viable hybrids, however, have been obtained from crosses between American perennial Lespedeza species and other Asian Lespedeza species, or when perennial Lespedeza species attempt to hybridize with annual Lespedeza species. Hybrids were also not viable when crossing between species with different chromosome numbers (Brinkley et al. 1959). '

http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/documnts/lespcun.html

6.04

'L. cuneata blooms from July through October, and has flowers of two types: chasmogamous (petaliferous) flowers or cleistogamous (apetalous) flowers. Petals of the chasmogamous flowers are typically cream-white to yellow-white in color, and the upper-most (banner) petal can have pink- or purple-colored veins. The calyx is 3 to 4 mm long. Chasmogamous flowers grow in clusters of 1 to 4 flowers per leaf axis. Cleistogamous flowers of L. cuneata are always self-fertilized (versus cross-fertilized in chasmogamous flowers), typically do not open, and do not have showy petals. Cleistogamous flowers have a calyx 1.5 to 2.0 mm long and are generally scattered amongst the chasmogamous flowers (Pieters 1934; Stitt 1946; Hanson & Cope 1955b).

http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/documnts/lespcun.html

6.05

'Honey bees are the primary pollinator.'

http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/lescun/botanical_and_ecological_characteristics.html

6.06

(1) 'Sericea lespedeza's primary mode of reproduction is by seed. … Vegetative reproduction: Sericea lespedeza will sprout from the caudex after being top-killed ' (2)L. cuneata can reproduce by seeds, as well as spread vegetatively, forming dense stands with many upright stems. [grows as a shrub; not spread by vegetative fragmentation]

(1)http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/lescun/botanical_and_ecological_characteristics.html (2)http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/documnts/lespcun.html

6.07

Sericea lespedeza is relatively slow to establish, having a rather weak, vulnerable seedling stage...During establishment, sericea lespedeza uses most of its energy producing a root system. [minimum estimate for a small perennial with slow establishment]

http://mdc.mo.gov/landown/grass/sericea/

7.01

Commonly planted along roadsides and for erosion control [accidental dispersal by humans is likely]

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/lecu1.htm

7.02

'In some parts of the U.S., L. cuneata is still valued for controlling erosion along roadsides and for forage, and a websearch in November 2002 yielded several nurseries and seed companies (mostly in the southeast and eastern U.S.) that offer L. cuneata for these purposes.'

http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/documnts/lespcun.html

7.03

Autumn dispersal is aided by the haying of infested fields.

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/lecu1.htm

7.04

'Within the Lespedeza genus there are no specialized structures for seed dispersal. Dispersal is aided by animals consuming the fruits and passing the seeds. A study on natural populations found that several species of Lespedeza comprise 1.5% to 86.8% of the annual diet of bobwhite quail in the southeastern U.S.'

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/lecu1.htm

7.05

'Within the Lespedeza genus there are no specialized structures for seed dispersal. Dispersal is aided by animals consuming the fruits and passing the seeds. A study on natural populations found that several species of Lespedeza comprise 1.5% to 86.8% of the annual diet of bobwhite quail in the southeastern U.S.'

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/lecu1.htm

7.06

(1)'Within the Lespedeza genus there are no specialized structures for seed dispersal. Dispersal is aided by animals consuming the fruits and passing the seeds. A study on natural populations found that several species of Lespedeza comprise 1.5% to 86.8% of the annual diet of bobwhite quail in the southeastern U.S.' (2)Birds may play a role in seed dispersal,... (3)The seeds are eaten by birds and rodents

(1)http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/lecu1.htm (2)http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/nathis/exotic/vegman/twentytw.htm (3)http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/lescun/management_considerations.html

7.07

'Within the Lespedeza genus there are no specialized structures for seed dispersal. Dispersal is aided by animals consuming the fruits and passing the seeds. A study on natural populations found that several species of Lespedeza comprise 1.5% to 86.8% of the annual diet of bobwhite quail in the southeastern U.S.'

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/lecu1.htm

7.08

(1)'Within the Lespedeza genus there are no specialized structures for seed dispersal. Dispersal is aided by animals consuming the fruits and passing the seeds. A study on natural populations found that several species of Lespedeza comprise 1.5% to 86.8% of the annual diet of bobwhite quail in the southeastern U.S.' (2)The seeds are eaten by birds and rodents

(1)http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/lecu1.htm (2)http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/lescun/management_considerations.html

8.01

(1)The fruit is a legume 0.10 to 0.13 inches (0.25-0.33 cm) long and containing one seed.' (2)A high percentage of seeds produced may be hard seed. These seeds, which may comprise 20%-30% of the seed lot need to be scarified to germinate. There are approximately 372,000 seeds per pound of unscarified and 335,000 seeds per pound of the scarified seed.' [372000 seed/pound = 819 seeds/g]
(3) The weight of 1000 seeds is 1—2 g. Seed yields average 350—1000 kg/ha. [350—1000 kg/ha = 28665-81900 seeds/m2]

(1)http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/lescun/botanical_and_ecological_characteristics.html (2)http://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/doc/fs_lecu.doc
(3) Mosjidis, J.A., 2003. Lespedeza cuneata (Dumont de Courset) G. Don. [Internet] Record number 3023 from TEXTFILE On-line. Faridah Hanum, I & van der Maesen, L.J.G. (Editors). PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation, Bogor, Indonesia. http://www.proseanet.org. Accessed: Thursday, 22 January 2004.

8.02

'Scarification is necessary for the germination of lespedeza seeds. Mature seeds of this genus remain viable for up to twenty years; one study found a germination rate of 60% after cold storage for 55 years. Seedlings may represent only 1% of the seeds actually available in the soil. '

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/lecu1.htm

8.03

'Since root reserves increase up to the flower bud stage, all herbicide treatments should be completed in early to mid summer. The addition of a non-ionic surfactant at a concentration of 0.5% improves the effectiveness of foliar treatments. Triclopyr and clopyralid have been shown to be effective in controlling Chinese lespedeza. A 2% solution Triclopyr or 0.5% solution of clopyralid throughly mixed with water is effective during the vegetative stage prior to branching or during flowering. Treatments should cover the leaves and stems of plants to the point of runoff. These herbicides are not labeled for use in wet areas or adjacent to streams. On wet sites a 2% solution of glyphosate is effective from last June until seed set. '

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/lecu1.htm

8.04

'Rangelands can be managed to control sericea lespedeza by burning, grazing, and fertilization. Prescribed burning of native grass in the late spring followed by intensive grazing with mature cattle will increase utilization on sericea lespedeza. Grazing infested sites with sheep and goats will provide effective control. Pastures should be properly fertilized and grazed during April and May to reduce the occurrence of sericea lespedeza. Fire has been used on non-rangeland infestations with some success. Late spring burns (May 15 to the end of June) may be effective if a fire will carry through the area at that time. Seed dormancy of sericea lespedeza can be broken by prescribed burning but resulting seedlings may be less viable. Breaking seed dormancy by burning may be preferable to allowing natural processes to accomplish this, since a persistent, long-lived seed bank may add new plants to the site for years to come. By forcing more seeds to germinate, following up with a mechanical or chemical treatment

http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/nathis/exotic/vegman/twentytw.htm

8.05

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