Lespedeza (hirta)

Quicksand USDA NRCS - Quicksand Plant Materials Center 175 Robinson Road Quicksand, Kentucky 41363 http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov

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Family Scientific Name:	Fabaceae
Family Common Name:	Pea
Scientific Name:	Lespedeza hirta
Common Name:	Hairy Leaf Clover
General Distribution:	It is abundant in dry soils from Maine to Michigan and Missouri, south to Florida, and Texas. In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park plants are found on dry, rocky soils near trails, clearings and thickets.
Propagation Goal:	seeds
Propagation Method:	seed
ProductType:	Propagules (seeds, cuttings, poles, etc.)
Time To Grow:	0
Propagule Collection:	Collected at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Propagule Processing:	EASE OF COLLECTION: Seed can be easily stripped from plants. Most plantshave an erect growth habit. Plants, however, are scattered in the park, making collection of seed slow. TYPE OF MATERIAL COLLECTED FOR PROPAGATION: Seed. METHOD OF CLEANING: Hand screens, aspirator. UNUSUAL OR UNIQUE PROCESSING REQUIREMENTS: Seed needs to be dehulled for best results. Seed from increase field was hand clipped, run over scalper, and dehulled with rubber roll huller. Seed was cleaned using Clipper fanning mill. NUMBER OF SEEDS PER POUND: Data not available at date of publication. PERCENT GERMINATION: Data not available at date of publication.
Pre-Planting Treatments:	PRETREATMENT USED: Mechanical scarification, Forsberg scarifier approximately 15 seconds, Lespedeza inoculum.
Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:	PROPAGATION METHOD: Two methods have been attempted: 1) Seediings have been produced in the greenhouse and transplanted to the field. 2) Seed sown directly to field using belt seeder.
Active Growth Phase:	METHOD OF GROWING: The plants have become established in the field at the Quicksand, Kentucky Plant Materials Center by direct seeding and by transplanting seedlings germinated in the greenhouse. Seeds were mechanically scarified, treated with Lespedeza inoculum, and planted in January and February to plug trays in the greenhouse in 1991. Seedlings were transplanted to 42-inch spaced rows in the field in April. Spacing between plants was 1 foot. Plants had a very erect, tall growth habit in 1991. As a result, plants had to be staked and mulched to keep them upright. Seed was harvested in November of 1991. In 1992, the field was increased by seeding mechanically scarified seed with a belt seeder to 42-inch spaced rows. Seed was planted approximately 1-2 inches apart. Germination appeared to begreater than 50% in the field. Stand in the field planted in 1991 from seedlings declined greatly in 1992. No disease organism could be detected by University of Kentucky Plant Pathology diagnostic tests. Stand decline appears related to excessive precipitation during the summer, heavy soils, and poor drainage of the field. Rows seeded to the field in 1992 did not die as readily, but were slow to grow. Planting of an additional increase field is anticipated for spring of 1993. The site is drier and more well drained. Fertility requirements are unknown for this species. Studies of boron requirements are also planned for 1993.
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:	UNUSUAL OR UNIQUE HARVESTING OR DIGGING REQUIREMENTS: Data un-available at date of publication. SEED MATURITY DATE: Data not available at date of publication. STORAGE REQUIREMENTS: Unknown. Seed was stored in cold storage (relative humidity less than 50%, temperature less than 50§F). ESTIMATED PROPAGULE STORAGE POTENTIAL: Data unavailable at date of publication.

Citation:

2001. Propagation protocol for production of Propagules (seeds, cuttings, poles, etc.) Lespedeza hirta seeds USDA NRCS - Quicksand Plant Materials Center Quicksand, Kentucky. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/07/02). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.