[MAIPC] Lespedeza cuneata

[Marc Imlay]

I eradicated it from Swann park about 10 years ago, about half manually but
only when the soil was very wet after a rain, and about half with herbicide
on mono-cultures. See attachment.

 

 

Marc Imlay, PhD 
Chair of the Biodiversity and Habitat Stewardship Committee for the Maryland
Chapter of the Sierra Club.

 

Marc Imlay, PhD, Chair, MAIPC Biological control working Group Conservation
biologist, 

Park Ranger Office, Non-native Invasive Plant Control coordinator.
<mailto:Marc.Imlay at pgparks.com> Marc.Imlay at pgparks.com

(301) 442-5657 cell  Natural and Historical Resources Division

The  Maryland-National   Capital   Park  and Planning Commission

 

From: MAIPC [mailto:maipc-bounces at lists.maipc.org] On Behalf Of John Ambler
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2016 2:22 PM
To: maipc at lists.maipc.org
Subject: [MAIPC] Lespedeza cuneata

 

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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