shrubby bushclover

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• bicoloured lespedeza
• two-coloured bush-clover
• bicolored lespedeza
• shrub lespedeza
• shrubby lespedeza
• bicolor lespedeza

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lespedeza bicolor f. nakaiana
• Lespedeza penduliflora
• Lespedeza homoloba f. rosea
• Lespedeza bicolor var. alba
• Lespedeza bicolor f. pendula
• Lespedeza bicolor f. alba
• Lespedeza bicolor f. niveoflora
• Lespedeza bicolor var. nana
• Lespedeza bicolor f. rosea
• Lespedeza ionocalyx
• Lespedeza melanantha var. longifolia
• Lespedeza veitchii
• Lespedeza melanantha f. rosea
• Lespedeza tobae
• Lespedeza bicolor f. tomentella
• Lespedeza setiloba
• Lespedeza bicolor f. patens
• Lespedeza spicata
• Lespedeza penduliflora subsp. cathayana
• Lespedeza penduliflora var. cathayana
• Lespedeza bicolor f. acutifolia
• Lespedeza bicolor f. grandifolia
• Lespedeza bicolor f. parvifolia
• Lespedeza patentibicolor
• Lespedeza bicolor var. japonica

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae in the order Fabales and is a member of the family Fabaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Lespedeza as the species Lespedeza bicolor.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific range of occurrence across several regions of Eastern Europe. It can be found growing within the territories of Belarus and the Baltic States. Its distribution also extends into the vast landscapes of Central European Russia. Additionally, the species is documented to inhabit parts of East European Russia. Finally, the plant is also known to be present in Ukraine.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lespedeza bicolor is characterized by its presence in diverse woodland environments, where it thrives across various stages of forest succession and terrain types. It is commonly found inhabiting cut-over forests, established forests, and forest edges, where the increased light availability at the margins often supports its growth. Additionally, the species demonstrates adaptability to more rugged environments, frequently occurring in stony places. This distribution suggests a preference for transitional zones and disturbed woodland habitats where soil stability and light penetration allow it to establish itself within the forest matrix.

Habitat :

cut-over forest, forest, forest edges, stony places

Life history

The life history of Lespedeza bicolor is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Throughout its life cycle, it exhibits deciduousness, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal adaptation to changing environmental conditions.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lespedeza bicolor is characterized by a woody, self-supporting growth habit, functioning as both a shrub and a forb. This plant is primarily terrestrial in its ecological niche, rather than aquatic or epiphytic, and it grows as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. In terms of stature, it typically reaches a plant height ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 1.5 meters. Its structural development is defined by its woody nature, allowing it to maintain a self-supporting form instead of acting as a liana, vine, or climber.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lespedeza bicolor is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. Morphologically, the plant features elliptic leaf forms with entire margins, providing a specific surface area optimized for gas exchange and light absorption. Furthermore, the leaf structure is notably smooth, as it possesses no leaf thorns and no leaf spines, contributing to its distinct vegetative profile.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lespedeza bicolor is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering period and distinct seed morphology. The flowering cycle typically commences in July and concludes in August, although the timing may remain variable depending on environmental conditions. Following pollination, the plant produces seeds with a notable range in mass; the mean seed mass is approximately 0.005887647 g, with individual seeds weighing as little as 0.00252 g and reaching a maximum of 0.01 g. The dispersal of these seeds follows an unspecialized syndrome, utilizing a combination of anemochorous, zoochorous, autochorous, and hydrochorous mechanisms to ensure distribution across its habitat.

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Seed mass max:

0.01 g

Seed mass mean:

0.005887647 g

Seed mass min:

0.00252 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Lespedeza bicolor has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include genistein, quercetin.

genistein

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

quercetin

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology