Invasive Plant Management in the North Carolina Sandhills
Lespedeza cuneata - Chinese lepedeza
Herbaceous to woody
perennial found in open or disturbed areas. Chinese lespedeza is an
ecological threat to native plant communities. The most obvious impact
is its tendency to competitively displace native plant species. It also
hinders the growth of native plants by adding nitrogen to the soil,
which makes the soil richer and encourages the invasion of other
non-native plants. Chinese lespedeza maintains its presence in an area
by establishing a large seed bank. It is typically a problem in open or
disturbed areas like meadows, prairies, open woodlands, wetland
borders, fields, roadsides, and eroded areas.
