Sericea Lespedeza, Chinese Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata)

Each walk my son and I take to the spots where we find wildflowers in our neighborhood seems to turn up something new. I love the color of these. Sericea Lespedeza has tiny flowers and tiny leaves that I think are lovely. It's long stemmed and the ones we saw were around a foot long. It's native to Asia and eastern Australia. It has been introduced to other countries and was introduced to the United States in 1896 from Japan. Sericea Lespedeza is now present throughout the eastern United States. It was used to help stop erosion and also forage for livestock but now is considered invasive in some areas. It's been used medicinally to treat skin ulcerations, dysentery, enteritis, hernias and other aliments. It's said to be anthelmintic, depurative and tonic. Young leaves after being soaked and cooked are edible. Those are very small leaves though ! As always be cautious and have the advice of an expert before gathering or using any plant medicinally or for food. Be well informed with many resources. So many plants and so many continuing discoveries about a small area that surrounds me. I'll continue to enjoy and discover God's creation. I hope you'll take time and do so also. 

Sericea Lespedeza, Chinese Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata)

Sericea Lespedeza, Chinese Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata)

Sericea Lespedeza, Chinese Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata)

Sericea Lespedeza, Chinese Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata)

Sericea Lespedeza, Chinese Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata)

Sericea Lespedeza, Chinese Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata)