[MAIPC] Lespedeza cuneata

[Randall, John L]

I can speak from much experience that Lespedeza cuneate is horribly invasive – particularly in meadows/savannas/prairies where fire is used for management.

Mowing does NOT kill the plant and it’s virtually impossible to hand-weed. Herbicide is unfortunately the only real control method. We use either a 2.5% glyphosate or triclopyr solution.

Seeds can lay dormant for probably decades (awaiting a fire or not).

Johnny Randall

From: MAIPC [mailto:maipc-bounces at lists.maipc.org] On Behalf Of Stephen Hiltner
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2016 4:29 PM
To: Margaret Chatham <margaret.chatham at verizon.net>
Cc: maipc at lists.maipc.org
Subject: Re: [MAIPC] Lespedeza cuneata

Having lived in NC, I can speak to its capacity to take over and form monocrops. DOTs use it for erosion control, despite numerous attempts to get them to stop. Probably someone collecting seed confused it with L. virginica, which has similar leaves but pink flowers rather than cuneata's white. I can't imagine a mowing would ever kill it, given the strength of the roots. Maybe wear a plastic glove, with a cloth glove over that, dipped in herbicide, then apply by gripping the plant? Someone else will know better on techniques, but the plant will take over, like mugwort, if left to grow. I've dug and pulled it out by the root when just a few plants in a meadow.

The story goes that the seeds were thought good for wildlife, but apparently are too small to digest.

On Wed, Sep 14, 2016 at 3:56 PM, Margaret Chatham <margaret.chatham at verizon.net<mailto:margaret.chatham at verizon.net>> wrote:
I recall once hand-cutting it at Great Falls NP, MD, after flowers had formed but before seed was set, on the theory that simply removing all top growth at that time would kill the plant. Mary Travaglini was in charge of that operation, & I never heard how well it worked. (My personal recollection was of chiggers...)

Margaret Chatham



On 9/14/16 2:22 PM, "John Ambler" <john.ambler at verizon.net<mailto:john.ambler at verizon.net>> wrote:
In Lancaster County (PA) Central Park a series of native wildflower meadows were planted some years ago with seed collected from the county.  In one meadow apparently Lespedeza cuneata (Chinese bushclover) was included in the seed mix when seed was collectedalong the Susquehanna River, probably at Lock 12, near Holtwood Bridge on PA372.

One meadow has a large patch (maybe 100x200 ft.?) of Lespedeza cuneata growing vigorously among other plants.  There is some spread by mowing along the edge of the meadow, and it has been found in two of the other meadows at some distance from the main infestation.

Ideally it would be controlled by cutting with brush blade in August before seeds mature followed by treatment of the cut stem.  Brushing stem with glyphosate concentrate in early June when the stems are easily found also is effective.

However, volunteers are not allowed to use power tools or herbicide.  The park wishes to mow the meadows for woody plant control in the fall, a time that works into their schedule and the ground may not be too wet.  (Others recommend cutting at the beginning of April to minimize damage to overwintering butterflies.)

Mowing will rapidly spread the Lespedeza cuneata, which will seriously degrade the meadows.  Also it will favor wider spread, e.g., downstream via the nearby Mill Creek (a small river).

Could anyone with experience with Lespedeza cuneata comment on its invasiveness?  I see from EDDMapS that there are a lot of reports of it in New Jersey, so someone must be worried about it there.

John Ambler
Lancaster, PA
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