Lespedeza sericea (Thunb.) Miq.
Fl.Per.: July-October.
Holotype: Japan, Kofido, prope Nagasaki (G-not seen).
Distribution: Pakistan (N.W.F. Province, Punjab); Kashmir; India (N.Punjab, Kumaon, Central India, Madras, Assam); Burma; China, (Kwangtung, Fukin, Hong Kong, Szechuan, Yunnan, Yangtse, Shanghai, Kiangsu, Formosa); Korea; Japan; Java; Philippines; Australia (N.S.Wales, Queensland).
Some of the extremely hispid forms [e.g. Chumba, Clarke 23756A (K); Hawalbagh, May 1845, Thomson (K)] have been labelled Lespedeza sesricea f. hispida by Schindler. There is considerable variation in the indumentum, ranging from plants with very few hairs on stem and leaf [e.g. Srinagar water works, 5500 ft., 25.8.1917, R.R.Stewart 3366 (K)] to extremely hispid forms [Chamba, Raipur, 4000 ft.,14.10.1874, C.B.Clarke 23756A (K); Him.bor. occ.,3-6000 ft.,12.5.48, T. Thomson (K); Hawalbagh, May 1845, T. Thomson (K)]. However, the variation is quite gradual, and does not seem to have any correlation with the geographical
distribution either; hence no importance has been given to this character.
This taxon, under the name of Lespedeza cuneata, is extensively used in agriculture in the United States of America.