Lespedeza thunbergii (DC.) Nakai

Thunberg's Bush Clover

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Thunberg's Bush Clover is an introduced deciduous shrub in the Bean family (Fabaceae). It is native to Asia, but has been widely planted for erosion control and for wildlife throughout Alabama. Thunberg's Bush Clover occurs in open forests, along roadsides, along fence rows, and in powerline clearings. It is a multi-trunked shrub reaching 7-8 feet in height. Plants in northern areas are killed back to the ground in winter, but those in south Alabama may only have the upper stem portions killed. They will re-sprout from the lower stems profusely. It is a perennial with a woody crown. The stems are often purple tinged when young and either glabrous or short pubescent. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, trifoliate, and narrowly elliptic to oblong in outline. The margins are entire. The leaves are dark green above and light green below. Flowers are produced in panicles or racemes from the apex of the branches. The flowers are papilionaceous and rose-purple in color (rarely white or pink). The fruit is a one-seeded, pubescent, indehiscent legume. Thunberg's Bush Clover is closely related to, and similar in appearance to the more widespread Bicolor Lespedeza (Lespedeza bicolor Turczaninow), another Asian species. Thunberg’s Bush Clover is listed as an invasive species by the USDA in “Invasive Plants in Southern Forests”, the Georgia Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Georgia, Mid-Atlantic, and Kentucky Exotic Pest Plant Councils, and the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States. It is still available for sale in Alabama nurseries, with several varieties available. Thunberg's Bush Clover is difficult to eradicate once established, and its spread is promoted by fire.--A. Diamond

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Not Native

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