(L.) Hornem.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.131940
Element CodePDFAB270F0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderFabales
FamilyFabaceae
GenusLespedeza
SynonymsLespedeza violacea(L.) Pers.
Other Common NamesLespédèze intermédiaire (FR) shrubby lespedeza (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic CommentsAccording to Reveal and Barrie (1991), which is followed by Ohashi in FNA (2023, vol. 11), Lespedeza violacea (L.) Pers. is the correct name for what had been referred to as Lespedeza intermedia in many floras (including Kartesz 1994). Consequently, "Lespedeza frutescens (L.) Hornem. must now be taken up for what has been known as L. violacea." This material appears to have been called Lespedeza violacea by Kartesz in 1994, but is called Lespedeza frutescens by Kartesz in 1999.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-05-09
Change Date1985-10-11
Edition Date2025-05-09
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsLespedeza frutescens is a perennial forb occurring in open deciduous and alluvial woodlands, prairie remnants, ruderal areas, on limestone and sandy soils of eastern North America, from Ontario, Canada and Maine south to Florida, west to Texas, and north to Nebraska in the United States. There are over 300 estimated occurrences of this taxon, which are potentially threatened by development, rights-of-way construction and maintenance, succession, logging, invasive species, and other threats in some places. This species has been attributed to Lespedeza violacea in past floras, which has led to confusion within the genus. Little is known about threats or trends, but with a large range extent, high number of occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, Lespedeza frutescens is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsLespedeza frutescens occurs in eastern North America, from Ontario, Canada and Maine south to Florida, west to Texas, and north to Nebraska in the United States (FNA 2023). Range extent was estimated to be over 2,500,000 square kilometers using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are more than 300 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsLespedeza frutescens is potentially threatened by development, rights-of-way construction and maintenance, succession, logging, invasive species, and other threats in some places. However, they are considered negligible given the broad range and large number of occurrences of the species and its somewhat flexible and abundant habitat, as well as no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities.