Shrub Lespedeza
Lespedeza thunbergii 
This is a large non-woody perennial shrub that dies back to the ground every winter. It will grow on very harsh sites and has been used for erosion control in road construction. The plant provides food and cover for quail, rabbits and other wildlife.
Identifying Characteristics
- Height
- 8 ft
- Spread
- 8 ft
- Leaves
- alternate, compound with 3 leaflets, spirally arranged on stem; each leaflet 2" long, linear to elliptical; dull medium green
- Flowers
- pink to purple, each flower l/2" in diameter, pea-like; flowering in upright racemes 3" - 6" long
- Fruit
- black seeds maturing in late fall
- Associated species:
- fragrant sumac, roughleaf dogwood, shining sumac, hawthorn
- Ideal site conditions
- average soil, full sun
- Value to man
- windbreaks, erosion
- Value to wildlife
- food, cover
- Growth Rate
- fast
- Range
