Lespedeza cuneata aka Chinese Bush Clover

Lespedeza cuneata, also known as Chinese bushclover or sericea lespedeza, is a perennial herb in the legume family. It is native to Asia and eastern Australia, but has been introduced to several countries, including the United States, South Africa, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico. The plant grows from a woody taproot, which can exceed one meter in length and is topped with a woody caudex. Its branching stems can reach up to two meters in height and are covered densely in leaves, which are divided into leaflets up to 2.5 centimeters long. Flowers occur singly or in clusters of up to three in the leaf axils and can be purple, cream, white, or yellowish in color. The fruit is a legume pod containing one seed. Chinese bushclover was introduced in the late 1800s by federal and state agencies for use in bank stabilization, erosion control, soil improvement, mine reclamation, forage, hay, and other purposes. A number of cultivars have been developed, including 'Arlington', 'Serala', 'AU Lotan', 'AU Donnelly', 'AU Grazer', and 'Interstate'. However, the plant is considered invasive in many areas, such as the tallgrass prairie in the Flint Hills of Kansas, and can reduce the abundance and diversity of native plants while inhibiting the growth of tree seedlings. It may also be allelopathic, producing substances that chemically inhibit the growth of other plants. The species features on the European list of invasive alien species and is now illegal to sell, transport, and breed in the whole of the European Union. Biological pest control agents, such as the Lespedeza webworm, have been considered as a way to control the plant, but may not be approved for use due to their non-discriminatory nature. Grazing, particularly by goats, may also be an effective way to control Chinese bushclover. In addition to its use in agriculture and land management, Chinese bushclover is also a rare houseplant that requires regular watering and direct light to thrive. It prefers well-draining soil and should be repotted each time it doubles in size. As a member of the Lespedeza genus, it is closely related to other species, including Lespedeza bicolor, Lespedeza capitata, and Lespedeza thunbergii.