Lespedeza, Tartary Bush-clover
Lespedeza bicolor

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

An erect shrub 1-3 m tall. It keeps growing from year to year, It has many branches. It can be somewhat climbing. The leaves are clover-like with 3 leaflets. They are green above and paler underneath. The flowers are in loose groups along the branches. The flowers are pea like and purple. The fruit are one seeded pods about 5 mm long.

There are about 40-100 Lespedeza species. Also as Papilionaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It will grow on arid soils. In China it grows between 100-1,000 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 5-8.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Britain, China, Europe, Hawaii, Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Mongolia, Pacific, Russia, Siberia, Taiwan, USA

How it is used for food

The leaves are used as a tea substitute. The leaves and flowers are eaten, boiled or fried. The seeds are occasionally boiled and eaten with rice.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, seeds, leaves - tea

How it is grown

It is usually grown from seed. It can be grown from division of the root crown, removing suckers or semi-woody cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Ezo-yama-hagi, Hagi

Synonyms

Lespedeza bicolor Turcz. var. intermedia Maxim.; Lespedeza bicolor Turcz. var. sericea Nakai; Lespedeza ionocalyx Nakai; Lespedeza setiloba Nakai; Lespedeza spicata Nakai & F. Maek.; Lespedeza tobae H. Koidz.;