Sericea lespedeza is a weed growing throughout much of the eastern half of the U.S. from Texas to Florida and New York to Minnesota. It is found in areas such as meadows, fields, prairies and woodlands. It is considered a well-established invasive plant. It is prohibited in New York state and is included in noxious weed laws in Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas. This plant out-competes and displaces native plants, and its high tannin content makes it not that palatable for livestock and wildlife. Hand pulling is difficult due to its large root system. Mowing plants in the flowering stage may help control it as well as herbicides.

Once the weeds start to flower and fructify, it will be difficult to control them effectively. In fact, the best time to remove weeds is before flowering and fructification because the seeds will spread rapidly after that. So, it is necessary to remove weeds more often and to take precautions in advance next year. Mulching: During the seed stage, covering with sawdust, straws or black mulches to effectively inhibit seed germination and the growth of the seedling. Generally, this method is used in winter or spring to inhibit the germination of weed in the soil. If the weeds have already flowered and fructified, this method can be used to isolate the seeds and the soil to prevent the seeds from falling into the soil. Pruning: Pruning weeds before they fructify can effectively control the propagation of weeds. Also, pruning the weed for two or three consecutive years during its flowering phase can effectively control the weed. The lower the weed is pruned, the better the effect. Chemical control: Using appropriate herbicides during early summer can effectively remove the weed from the area. Pulling out: Before the weeds fructify, wear gloves or use tools to pull them out. If it is difficult to pull out weed due to dry soil, adding water to the soil helps to make it easy to remove the roots thoroughly. After pulling out the weed, deep tillage can be adopted to remove the residual roots. This method is especially effective for weeds that are in the seedling stage or low growing size. Plowing: Before cultivation, plow the soil, collect and discard the roots of perennial weeds, then expose them to the sun or bury them deeply. It can also be used for retting organic fertilizer and composting. Note: When removing weeds, it is necessary to wear gloves to avoid direct contact with the weeds, especially for the ones that are poisonous, thorny and allergenic. When removing weeds at the flowering stage, special masks should be worn to prevent allergic reactions caused by the inhalation of pollen.