Lespedeza bicolor shrub, bush clover (Uk), hú zhī zi (Cn), Zweifarbiger Buschklee (GE), yama-hagi (JP), ssari, ssarinamu (KR). 50-1000 seeds

Lespedeza bicolor, commonly known as shrubby bush clover, bicolor lespedeza, shrubby lespedeza is a flowering plant in the legume family native to eastern Asia, including southeastern Siberia, eastern China, Mongolia, Korea, and Japan. It is often grown as an ornamental plant and has become invasive in parts of the southeastern United States.

**Description**
This erect shrub typically reaches 3 meters (9.8 feet) in height and width but is smaller in cold climates. It can grow quickly, reaching up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) in one growing season. Key features include:
- Leaves: Composed of three oval leaflets (up to 5 cm long).
- Flowers: Pink and purple, organized in racemes of up to 15 blooms, along with self-pollinating cleistogamous flowers.
- Fruit: A flat legume pod containing one seed.

**Cultivation**
Introduced to the U.S. in 1856, it was later recommended for erosion control and wildlife habitat enhancement. The USDA cultivated strains to improve drought resistance and seed production.

**Habitat**
Lespedeza bicolor thrives in various habitats, particularly disturbed areas. It has spread across the eastern U.S., from New York to northern Florida and into parts of Canada. Its aggressive growth can threaten native plants and disrupt ecosystems, especially following disturbances like fires.

**Phytochemicals**
The plant contains lespedamine, related to DMT, and other compounds like dihydrolespedezol derivatives and flavonoids.

**Germination method**
Pre-treatment. For the best germination results in L. Bicolor seeds heat treatment is recommended.
Pour hot water at ~70 °C on them for 3-4 minutes. You can go to as hot as 90°C, in this case reduce the time to 1 minute.
Sow the seeds in well draining compost 0.5 cm deep.
After the seedlings grow to manageable size repot into individual pots.

Seed count:
100+ seeds ~0.3 g