Don't get this legume mixed up with beneficial lespedeza varieties. Sericea lespedeza is considered a noxious weed in some states, but it has been planted along highways in Missouri to control erosion. Here's how to control the weed if it crosses into your pastures.

Sericea lespedeza is a warm-season, perennial legume native to eastern Asia. It was introduced into the United States in the late 1890s. Sericea has been used as a forage plant, as a wildlife food source and for erosion control. Do not get this lespedeza confused with other annual lespedezas such as Korean, Kobe, etc. While the annual lespedezas can be useful in forage management systems, sericea does not fit into this category.

Sericea is a deep-rooted perennial that can grow 18 to 40 inches tall. Stems are either single or clustered with many branches. Mature stems are very coarse or woody in appearance. Leaves are a trifoliate with short petioles. Flowering occurs from mid-July to early October.

Sericea can tolerate very acidic to slightly alkaline soil conditions and is very competitive. Once established, it can reduce or eliminate competing vegetation. Because of its thick, upright growth, it can limit the amount of sunlight reaching other plant species. Therefore, it can crowd out other, more desirable forage species.

Sericea was first recognized as a high-quality forage due to its high levels of crude protein. However, it also contains high levels of chemical compounds called tannins. Tannins bind proteins, leaving them unavailable for digestion. Tannins will also reduce palatability and digestibility of forages. Breeders have even developed new varieties of sericea lespedeza that have lower tannin levels, but these levels are still considered high.

Sericea was promoted for use as a wildlife food and cover source, but even this use has not proved itself. Deer can feed on the early growth and may browse on the plants in the winter. And quail will eat the seeds. But because of its thick, competitive growth habit, even when sericea is dormant, other species are prevented from growing. The Missouri Conservation Department does not encourage its use as a wildlife habitat plant.

Sericea has also been used intensively in erosion control. Its competitive, invasive nature and its ability to grow in many different soil conditions leads it to work well for erosion control.

The Missouri Department of Transportation used it exclusively in some areas of the state for erosion control along some major highways. But what happens when it creeps across the fence into a field that is used for pasture or hay ground? You get the picture.

This species can get established and start crowding out other desirable species for your livestock operation. It is my understanding the Missouri Department of Transportation no longer encourages its use. However, because it is not classified as a noxious weed, it could still come in other seed that is being sown.

Because of its highly competitive nature, poor forage quality and invasiveness, sericea was put on Kansas' noxious weed list in July 2000. Should it be listed as a noxious weed in Missouri? Probably. Will it? Probably not.

Too much sericea has been sown along roadsides for erosion control. There are even some areas in the state where seed is grown and harvested and then sold for use in other states for erosion control along roadsides.

How do you control this problem weed? Basically your choices are limited. Currently the herbicide products of choice include Ally/Escort by DuPont and Remedy by Dow AgroSciences. As with any herbicide, always read and follow label directions.

Ally lists suppression of sericea lespedeza because you cannot exceed 0.3 oz/ac. While Escort is the same chemical as Ally, it can be applied at 0.4 to 0.5 oz/ac but only in roadside areas. Escort does not have a pasture or hay label. When spraying with Ally or Escort, spray from early bloom to early seed set. This generally occurs from August through early October. When using Ally or Escort, include 1 quart of nonionic surfactant per 100 gallons of water.

When spraying Remedy herbicide, use 1 to 2 pints per acre during the vegetative stage. This generally occurs from mid-June to mid-July. If spot spraying with Remedy, use at least 2 quarts Remedy plus 2 quarts nonionic surfactant per 100 gallons of water and thoroughly spray the plants.

Mowing sericea lespedeza will generally not completely control it. You may keep it in a given spot by mowing frequently and late in summer to midfall. Cutting does force regrowth to occur from axillary buds located on the plant. If you mow, cut low, cut often and cut late in the season. Mowing in early July and then four to six weeks later (when regrowth occurs) with an application of Remedy or Ally herbicide may also work.

Try to detect sericea early if it starts invading some of your pasture or hay areas and use spot treatments. You will not be able to control this weed in just one season. Plan on retreating areas affected because this is a perennial plant and probably has produced many seeds.