Family: Fabaceae
Author: Turcz.
Bibliography: Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 14: 69 (1840)
Year: 1840
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Lespedeza
Vegetable: False
Observations: SE. Siberia to Japan
Description
Shrubby lespedeza, scientifically known as Lespedeza bicolor, is a striking and resilient plant species that belongs to the family Fabaceae. Originating from Southeast Siberia and extending to Japan, this plant thrives in diverse environments across its native range, contributing significantly to the ecological fabric of these regions.
First documented in 1840 in the Bulletin of the Imperial Society of Naturalists of Moscow, Lespedeza bicolor was classified by the botanist Turcz. The meticulous observation and recording of this plant underscored its unique characteristics and adaptability, which have since been corroborated by numerous botanical studies.
Characterized by its shrubby form, Shrubby lespedeza typically exhibits a vibrant display of bi-colored flowers—hence its scientific name “bicolor.” These blossoms are often a magnet for various pollinators, including bees and butterflies, thereby playing a crucial role in local ecosystems by facilitating pollination.
Well-suited to its native regions in Southeast Siberia to Japan, Shrubby lespedeza has adapted to a range of climatic conditions. It is known for its hardiness and ability to thrive even in poor soil conditions, which makes it an invaluable species for erosion control and land reclamation projects. Its deep-rooting system stabilizes soil and prevents erosion, enhancing the landscape’s resilience to natural forces.
The plant’s foliage, which turns a beautiful shade of yellow in the autumn, adds to its ornamental value, making it a popular choice in landscape gardening. Moreover, it can serve as a cover crop, improving soil quality and fertility through nitrogen fixation—a common trait within the Fabaceae family.
In summary, Shrubby lespedeza (Lespedeza bicolor), since its classification in 1840 by Turcz., has stood out not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its ecological significance. From its native habitats in Southeast Siberia and Japan to its broader applications in horticulture and environmental management, this remarkable plant continues to demonstrate versatility and importance within its ecosystem.
Common Names
Eng: shrub lespedeza, bicolored lespedeza, shrubby lespedeza, two-coloured bush-clover, bicoloured lespedeza
Swe: manchurisk buskklöver
Deu: zweifarbiger buschklee
Fra: lespédèze bicolore, lespedeza bicolore
En: Shrubby lespedeza, Shrub lespedeza, Bicolored lespedeza, Bicolor lespedeza, Bush Clovers, Chinese bush-clover, Chinese lespedeza, Lespedeza, Perennial lespedea, Sericea Lespedeca, Silky bush-clover, Two-coloured bush-clover, Bicoloured lespedeza
Ar: ليسبيديزا ذات اللونين
Hy: Լեսպեդեցիա երկնագույն
Be: Леспедэза двухколерная
Zh: 山胡枝子, 胡枝子
Cs: Lespedézie dvoubarvá
Da: Tofarvet Kløverbusk
Nl: Bosklaver
Fi: Mantsurianpensasapila
Fr: Lespédèze bicolore, Lespedeza bicolore
De: Zweifarbiger Buschklee
Ja: Yama-hagi
Ko: 싸리
Lt: Dvispalvė dobilūnė
Fa: لسپدزا دورنگ
Ru: Lespedeca dvucvetnaâ, Леспедеца двуцветная
Sv: Manchurisk buskklöver
Zh-tw: 山胡枝子
Synonyms
- Lespedeza penduliflora var. cathayana (P.S.Hsu)
- Lespedeza penduliflora subsp. cathayana (P.S.Hsu)
- Lespedeza bicolor f. pendula (S.L.Tung & Z.Lu)
- Lespedeza setiloba (Nakai)
- Lespedeza bicolor f. rosea ((Nakai) S.Akiyama & H.Ohba)
- Lespedeza spicata (Nakai & F.Maek.)
- Lespedeza bicolor var. nana (Nakai)
- Lespedeza bicolor f. niveoflora (S.Akiyama & H.Ohba)
- Lespedeza penduliflora ((Oudem.) Nakai)
- Lespedeza veitchii (Ricker)
- Lespedeza ionocalyx (Nakai)
- Lespedeza bicolor f. nakaiana (Murata)
- Lespedeza bicolor f. grandifolia (Matsum.)
- Lespedeza tobae (H.Koidz.)
- Lespedeza bicolor var. sericea (Nakai)
- Lespedeza bicolor f. parvifolia (Matsum.)
- Lespedeza bicolor var. japonica (Nakai)
- Lespedeza bicolor f. alba ((Bean) Ohwi)
- Lespedeza bicolor var. alba (Bean)
- Lespedeza bicolor f. acutifolia (Matsum.)
Distribution
- Amur (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Chita (native)
- Inner Mongolia (native)
- Japan (native)
- Khabarovsk (native)
- Korea (native)
- Kuril Is. (native)
- Manchuria (native)
- Mongolia (native)
- Primorye (native)
- Sakhalin (native)
- Alabama (introduced)
- Arizona (introduced)
- Arkansas (introduced)
- Baltic States (introduced)
- Belarus (introduced)
- Central European Rus (introduced)
- East European Russia (introduced)
- Georgia (introduced)
- Illinois (introduced)
- Kentucky (introduced)
- Kirgizstan (introduced)
- Louisiana (introduced)
- Maryland (introduced)
- Missouri (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- North Carolina (introduced)
- South Carolina (introduced)
- Tennessee (introduced)
- Ukraine (introduced)
- Uzbekistan (introduced)
- Vermont (introduced)
- Virginia (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Jul 26, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 18, 2019 by Geraldine Moine (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 18, 2019 by Geraldine Moine (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 26, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 11, 2017 by bruxelloise (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Sep 12, 2022 by John Sycorax (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 26, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 26, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 12, 2022 by John Sycorax (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 18, 2019 by Geraldine Moine (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jun 4, 2021 by Alecsandro araujo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 11, 2019 by Bruce Winter (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 3, 2003 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jul 3, 2003 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Oct 18, 2019 by Geraldine Moine (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jul 23, 2020 by Ken Borgfeldt (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 5, 2022 by marjolein scholtens (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 27, 2021 by Didier Ploquin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 23, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jul 3, 2003 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jun 5, 2012 by EOL − Johnny Wilson (cc-by-nc)
Taken Feb 9, 2013 by EOL − Suzanne Cadwell (cc-by-nc)
Taken Oct 13, 2022 by Tomás Llopis (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 24, 2021 by PapyDan (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Sep 1, 2021 by Nathan Torres (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 7, 2021 by Mason Hoffman (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 20, 2013 by EOL − Suzanne Cadwell (cc-by-nc)
Taken Oct 24, 2005 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- WFO (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2955759)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:502415-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lespedeza bicolor Turcz.)
Specifications
Growth form: Multiple Stem
Growth habit: Forb/herb, Subshrub
Growth rate: Rapid
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.5
Ph minimum: 5.8