Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) is a perennial weed that is commonly found in pasture areas. The woody stems grow upright. Individual leaves are oblong in shape, and appear to have been folded. Small white and purple flowers can be found in the axils of the leaves. An important identifying characteristic of sericea lespedeza is the stiff hairs that can be found on the stem.

Perennial broadleaf turf weeds are capable of living more than two years. They thrive in weak, thin turf; golf fairways and roughs; home lawns; playfields; and industrial grounds. Proper turf maintenance is the key to control of this weed. First, select adapted turfgrass cultivars for your area and then properly fertilize, mow, and water to encourage dense growth.

• GROWTH SEASON / LIFE CYCLE
  • perennial weed
• GROWTH HABIT
  • upright; may reach five feet in height
    ​Figure 1, Figure 2
• LEAFLET NUMBER
  • three
    Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6
• LEAF MARGIN
  • smooth
• LEAF HAIRS
  • upper / lower surface; dense
• LEAF / LEAFLET SHAPE
  • linear/oblong
• LEAF WIDTH
  • ¹⁄₂ - 1 inch; leaflets are 0.5 - 0.75 inches (13 - 19 mm) long
• LEAF VENATION
  • pinnate; prominent midvein on each leaflet
• LEAF ARRANGEMENT
  • alternate
• ROOT TYPE
  • woody taproot
• FLOWER COLOR
  • blue / purple; white
    Figure 7, Figure 8

Figure 1. Sericea lespedeza growth habit.

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Figure 1. Sericea lespedeza growth habit.

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Figure 2. Sericea lespedeza growth habit.

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Figure 2. Sericea lespedeza growth habit.

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Figure 3. Sericea lespedeza leaflet number.

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Figure 3. Sericea lespedeza leaflet number.

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Figure 4. Sericea lespedeza leaflet number.

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Figure 4. Sericea lespedeza leaflet number.

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Figure 5. Sericea lespedeza leaflet number.

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Figure 5. Sericea lespedeza leaflet number.

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Figure 6. Sericea lespedeza leaflet number.

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Figure 6. Sericea lespedeza leaflet number.

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Figure 7. Sericea lespedeza flower color.

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Figure 7. Sericea lespedeza flower color.

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Figure 8. Sericea lespedeza flower color.

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Figure 8. Sericea lespedeza flower color.

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