Type: Warm Season Perennial Legume
Origin: South Asia, China, Korea
Adaptations: Wide range of adaptations in soil type of the Southeastern US and Midwest. Prefers clay or loamy soil. Tolerates low fertility and acidic soils.
Uses: Hay, pasture, erosion control, wild game food for upland game birds.
Benefits: Easy to establish, low maintenance.
Nutrition: Good quality when young, but declines in late summer as it matures. Seeds are excellent fall and winter food for upland game birds i.e. quail and turkey.
Planting:
• Rate: 30 lb./acre or 1 lb./1000 sq. ft. broadcast
• Time: March - May
• Method: In prepared seed bed 1/2 inch deep
• Fertilize: 200 lbs. of 10-10-10 at establishment - no specific time requirement
• Grazing: Begin grazing or harvest when plants are 15 to 24 inches tall. Leave 4 inch stubble height. High tannin levels reduce consumption as a pasture. Tannin levels drop if harvested for hay. Has coarser stems compared to Serala Lespedeza, making it lower in quality as a pasture plant.
For Winter Forage: Passerel Annual Ryegrass