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Text Box: Sericea Lespedeza is an introduced perennial legume native to eastern Asia. It was first recognized as a potential weed problem in southeast Kansas in the early 1980’s. Sericea Lespedeza is most common in the eastern third of Kansas, but has spread west, with more than 70 counties reporting its occurrence statewide. More than 500,000 acres are currently infested by sericea lespedeza, with an estimate of 40,000 acres infested here in Cowley County. It was declared a statewide noxious weed July 1, 2000. Sericea lespedeza is the first federally listed crop to be declared a noxious weed. Once established sericea lespedeza plants will reduce or eliminate competing vegetation. It is relative slow to establish, having a rather weak, and vulnerable seedling stage. At the same time, this opportunistic invader will establish itself in full sun or partial shade. Sericea lespedeza tolerates shade quite well, establishing itself in dense shade where direct sunlight does not reach. Sericea lespedeza has been recognized as a quality forage due to its high levels of crude protein. However, livestock does not like to graze sericea lespedeza because of the high tannis. Tannis binds with proteins, causing the proteins to be unavailable for digestion. This combination makes sericea lespedeza unpalatable and reduces intake and digestibility. The level of tannis appears to increase with maturity of the plant, high air temperatures, and low rainfall. The tannis also reduces insect feeding. Remedy, Remedy/Vista are recommended for spring treatment. As the sericea lespedeza matures and starts to flower, for best results Escort applications can be made from bloom stage through first frost, (killing freeze). DuPont recommends a mix of ½ oz. to 1 oz. per acre with a good surfactant. There are no grazing restrictions using Escort at a rate of up to 1 2/3 oz. per acre. Escort is non-volatile, non-flammable and does not pose adverse affects to humans, livestock and wildlife when used according to label instructions. Escort is kind to

Text Box: Cowley County Noxious Weed Department

Text Box: “Cowley County has an estimated 40,000 acres infested by Sericea Lespedeza”

Text Box: Sericea Lespedeza seedling

Text Box: Sericea Lespedeza starting to flower