Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) (Source: ©James H. Miller. James H. Miller and Karl V. Miller. 2005. Forest plants of the southeast and their wildlife uses. University of Georgia Press., Athens. Courtesy of University of Georgia Press.

This weed is just coming into Nebraska and diligent control efforts now may help keep it from getting a foothold here. Sericea lespedeza can grow as tall as 4 feet under good growing conditions. It is a coarse plant with a dense growth of leaves along its stems and branches. In the vegetative stage cattle will eat it, but as it matures its high tannin content makes it unpalatable to cattle. It is a prolific seed producer and is extremely competitive with desirable grasses and forbs.

Identification and control

If you suspect you have Sericea lespedeza on your property, bring a sample into your local Extension or Weed District office so it can be positively identified.

If it is Sericea lespedeza, the most effective products for fall control include the active ingredient metsulfuron. For pastures, Cimarron and Surmount are effective on Serecia lespedeza. In early summer PastureGard and Remedy, both of which contain the active ingredient triclopyr, are effective herbicdes. The best time to spray in the summer is before bloom when the plant is actively growing.

If you have any questions about controlling this weed, contact your local Extension office.

Gary Lesoing
Extension Educator in Nemaha County

Copyright 2006 by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. All rights reserved.

Published by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperating with the counties and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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