Sericea lespedeza

Chinese lespedeza is a warm season, perennial herbaceous plant. It has an erect growth form, ranging from about 3 to 5½ feet in height, and leaves that alternate along the stem. Each leaf is divided into three smaller leaflets, about ½ to 1 inch long, which are narrowly oblong and pointed, with awl-shaped spines. Leaflets are covered with densely flattened hairs, giving a grayish-green or silvery appearance. Mature stems are somewhat woody and fibrous with sharp, stiff, flattened bristles. Small (about ¼ in.) creamy white to pale yellow flowers emerge either singly or in clusters of 2-4, from the axils of the upper and median leaves.