Lespedeza tomentosa
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643fd9563a436186154797 |
| Scientific name | Lespedeza tomentosa |
| Authority | (Thunb.) Siebold ex Maxim. |
| First published in | Trudy Imp. S.-Peterburgsk. Bot. Sada2: 376 (1873) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Across China, Korea, and Japan, Lespedeza tomentosa has long been used as a mild diuretic tea and bitter tonic. In Chinese materia medica, the herb known as shandi huzhizi is employed as a cold, bitter, and slightly sweet decoction of the aerial parts to promote urine and dispel dampness (Chinese Materia Medica, 1999). The Korean medicinal flora likewise records L. tomentosa (nari) as a diuretic and antiphlogistic, taken as a simple infusion of leaves and stems for edema and urinary complaints (Korean Materia Medica, 1996). In traditional Japanese use, the species has been incorporated into soothing infusions for urinary discomfort and to “clear heat” from the kidneys, as summarized by the Plant Resources of East Asia (Flora of Japan, 1993).
A practical recipe for a mild diuretic infusion begins with 8–12 g of fresh aerial parts (or 5–8 g dried) rinsed and steeped in 300–400 mL of near‑boiling water for 10–15 minutes, then drunk warm two to three times a day. For a stronger traditional formula, 15–20 g of dried aerial parts is decocted in 500–600 mL of water for 20–30 minutes, with the concentrate divided into two daily doses. Conventional sources describe a strong leaf infusion as 10–15 g dried in 300 mL of hot water for 20–30 minutes, used in two portions per day (Flora of China; Bentham and Hooker, 1863). As a rough‑guide 1:5 ethanol tincture in folk practice, macerate 20 g of dried aerial parts in 100 mL of 40–50% ethanol for 2–3 weeks, shaking daily, and take 5–10 mL two or three times a day with food.
Safety notes should be observed. Reported preparations are mild and diuretic; avoid during pregnancy, and discontinue if urine output declines or gastrointestinal irritation occurs. Diuretic action may potentiate lithium or loop diuretics, so clinicians should check for interactions (Chinese Materia Medica, 1999; Flora of China, 2010).
Well‑established phytochemicals in L. tomentosa include flavonoids (such as quercetin and kaempferol glycosides), isoflavonoids, triterpenoids (oleanolic acid and its glycosides), and polysaccharides. These compounds plausibly underpin the plant’s diuretic, antiphlogistic, and mild sedative activities reported in clinical and experimental observations (Flora of China, 2010; Plant Resources of East Asia, 1993).
Modern relevance remains active. Chinese herbal dispensaries continue to carry the species, and recent phytochemical and pharmacological studies explore its flavonoids and triterpenoids for diuretic and anti‑inflammatory effects, alongside sustained traditional use in East Asian herbal markets.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Pasture forage: The whole aboveground biomass is grazed by cattle, sheep, and goats; it offers moderate protein and is tolerant of drought.
Hay: Harvested at early flowering, dried, and baled; the dried stems and leaves constitute a high‑protein hay used for livestock feeding.
Silage: The freshly cut aerial parts are chopped, packed, and fermented to produce silage, a common feed for dairy and beef cattle.
Green manure: The plant’s nitrogen‑fixing root nodules allow the chopped biomass to be incorporated into soils, adding biologically fixed nitrogen and improving soil fertility.
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
The plant is not processed for human consumption; its dried or ensiled biomass is used exclusively as a feed ingredient for livestock, providing a protein and fiber source in mixed rations.
Properties relevant to use:
Nitrogen fixation: Lespedeza tomentosa forms symbiotic nodules with Bradyrhizobium, delivering biologically fixed nitrogen that reduces synthetic fertilizer needs.
Crude protein: Young leaves and stems contain roughly 14–18 % crude protein, decreasing to about 10 % at full maturity, providing nutrients for livestock growth and milk production.
Fiber composition: The aerial tissues have moderate neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and low lignin (≈3–4 % of dry matter), offering a favorable fiber‑to‑protein balance when harvested early.
Soil adaptability: The species tolerates acidic, low‑fertility soils and can establish on marginal lands, providing a reliable ground cover.
Standards and regulation:
Hay grading: In the United States, the National Forage Testing Association (NFTA) publishes protocols for testing crude protein, NDF, moisture, and other parameters in hay; similar standards exist in Japan under JIS Z 8804 for forage hay.
Feed safety: Lespedeza tomentosa used as livestock feed is subject to national feed safety regulations, such as Japan’s Feed Safety Act and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) regulations governing feed ingredients.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Lespedeza tomentosa is cultivated primarily in temperate East Asia, including Japan, Korea, and eastern China, where it occupies pastureland and slopes prone to erosion.
Its capacity to fix atmospheric nitrogen reduces reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers and contributes to soil health in mixed farming systems.
The species reproduces from seed harvested in late autumn; on‑farm reseeding enables sustainable management without frequent external inputs, and its persistence on marginal soils supports long‑term forage provision.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Lespedeza macrophylla | Bunge | Uchen. Zap. Imp. Kazansk. Univ.1835(4): 161 (1835) |
| Lespedeza villosa | Pers. | Syn. Pl.2: 318 (1807) |
| Hedysarum tomentosum | Thunb. | J.A.Murray, Syst. Veg. ed. 14: 675 (1784) |
| Hedysarum tomentosum | Murray | Fl. Jap. (Thunberg) 286. 1784 [Aug 1784] |
| Desmodium tomentosum | (Thunb.) DC. | Prodr.2: 337 (1825) |
| Hedysarum coriaceum | Poir. | J.B.A.M.de Lamarck, Encycl.6: 418 (1805) |
| Lespedeza glomerata | Hornem. | Hort. Bot. Hafn., Suppl.: 81 (1819) |
| Meibomia tomentosa | (Thunb.) Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl.1: 198 (1891) |
| Lespedeza tomentosa var. globiracemosa | S.L.Tung & Z.Lu | Bull. Bot. Res., Harbin8(4): 101 (1988) |
| Hedysarum villosum | Willd. | Sp. Pl., ed. 4. 3: 1195 (1803) |
| Hedysarum villosa | Willd. |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 山豆花 |
| Chinese | 小雪人参 |
| Chinese | 绒毛胡枝子 |
| Chinese | 絨毛胡枝子 |
Germination/Propagation Top
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No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
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Asia-temperate click to expand
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China
- Inner Mongolia
- Tibet
- Xinjiang
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Eastern Asia
- Japan
- Korea
- Nansei-shoto
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Mongolia
- Mongolia
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Russian Far East
- Primorye
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China
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Asia-tropical click to expand
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Indian Subcontinent
- Assam
- India
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- West Himalaya
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Indian Subcontinent
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000185065 |
| USDA Plants | LETO9 |
| Tropicos | 13021871 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:502595-1 |
| The Plant List | ild-31202 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 789297 |
| Observations.org | 147946 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 701551 |
| IPNI | 502595-1 |
| iNaturalist | 565870 |
| GBIF | 2946298 |
| EPPO | LESTO |
| EOL | 644214 |
| Elurikkus | 339233 |
| USDA GRIN | 21905 |
| CMAUP | NPO20144 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
| Title | Authors | Publication | Released | IDs | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diversity and traditional knowledge of medicinal plants used by Shui people in Southwest China | Liu S, Zhang B, Lei Q, Zhou J, Ali M, Long C | J Ethnobiol Ethnomed | 30-May-2023 |
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| Integrating the Rabinowitz rarity framework with a National Plant Inventory in South Korea | Choe H, Thorne JH, Hijmans R, Seo C | Ecol Evol | 13-Jan-2019 |
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| Medicinal Plants Used in the Treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus | Salehi B, Kumar NV, Şener B, Sharifi-Rad M, Kılıç M, Mahady GB, Vlaisavljevic S, Iriti M, Kobarfard F, Setzer WN, Ayatollahi SA, Ata A, Sharifi-Rad J | Int J Mol Sci | 14-May-2018 |
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| Flavonoid glycosides from fiveCyathea species | Atsushi Hiraoka, Masao Hasegawa | Springer Science and Business Media LLC | 10-Oct-2006 |
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Anthracenes | |||||
| (10S)-10-[(9R)-4,5-dihydroxy-2-methyl-10-oxo-9H-anthracen-9-yl]-1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methyl-10H-anthracen-9-one | 44567184 | Click to see | 494.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Anthracenes / Anthracenecarboxylic acids and derivatives / Anthracenecarboxylic acids | |||||
| 4-hydroxy-9,10-dioxo-5-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(oxalooxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyanthracene-2-carboxylic acid | 11972451 | Click to see | 518.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Rhein | 10168 | Click to see | 284.22 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| rhein 8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside | 5320961 | Click to see | 446.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sennidin A | 92826 | Click to see | 538.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sennoside A | 73111 | Click to see C1=CC2=C(C(=C1)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)C(=O)C4=C(C2C5C6=C(C(=CC=C6)OC7C(C(C(C(O7)CO)O)O)O)C(=O)C8=C5C=C(C=C8O)C(=O)O)C=C(C=C4O)C(=O)O | 862.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sennoside C | 46173829 | Click to see C1=CC2=C(C(=C1)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)C(=O)C4=C(C2C5C6=C(C(=CC=C6)OC7C(C(C(C(O7)CO)O)O)O)C(=O)C8=C5C=C(C=C8O)C(=O)O)C=C(C=C4O)CO | 848.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Anthracenes / Anthraquinones | |||||
| 8-((6-O-beta-D-Glucopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy)-1-hydroxy-3-methoxy-6-methylanthraquinone | 5320543 | Click to see | 608.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Aloe emodin | 10207 | Click to see | 270.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Aloe-emodin-glucoside | 147295 | Click to see | 432.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Chrysophanein | 6324923 | Click to see | 416.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Chrysophanol | 10208 | Click to see | 254.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Physcion | 10639 | Click to see | 284.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Pulmatin | 442731 | Click to see CC1=CC2=C(C(=C1)O)C(=O)C3=C(C2=O)C=CC=C3OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O | 416.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Rheochrysin | 168938 | Click to see | 446.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Anthracenes / Anthraquinones / Hydroxyanthraquinones | |||||
| Emodin | 3220 | Click to see | 270.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Emodin 1-O-beta-D-glucoside | 5319333 | Click to see CC1=CC2=C(C(=C1)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)C(=O)C4=C(C2=O)C=C(C=C4O)O | 432.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Emodin-8-glucoside | 99649 | Click to see | 432.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives / Gallic acids | |||||
| Gallic Acid | 370 | Click to see | 170.12 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives / Galloyl esters | |||||
| [(2S)-2,3-dihydroxypropyl] 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate | 51543740 | Click to see C1=C(C=C(C(=C1O)O)O)C(=O)OCC(CO)O | 244.20 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 6-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose | 5317463 | Click to see C1=C(C=C(C(=C1O)O)O)C(=O)OCC2C(C(C(C(O2)O)O)O)O | 332.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Methyl Gallate | 7428 | Click to see | 184.15 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Amino acids, peptides, and analogues / Alpha amino acids and derivatives / Alpha amino acids / L-alpha-amino acids | |||||
| (2S)-5-amino-2-ammonio-5-oxopentanoate | 6992086 | Click to see | 146.14 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Phenolic glycosides | |||||
| 1-[1-hydroxy-3-methyl-8-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxynaphthalen-2-yl]ethanone | 5319972 | Click to see | 378.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 1-[1,6-dihydroxy-3-methyl-8-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxynaphthalen-2-yl]ethanone | 100753 | Click to see | 394.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 2-[[(2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-6-(7-acetyl-8-hydroxy-3-methoxy-6-methylnaphthalen-1-yl)oxy-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methoxy]-2-oxoacetic acid | 5321979 | Click to see CC1=CC2=CC(=CC(=C2C(=C1C(=O)C)O)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)COC(=O)C(=O)O)O)O)O)OC | 480.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 2-methyl-4-oxo-7-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxychromene-5-carboxylic acid | 5315687 | Click to see | 382.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| gallic acid 4-O-beta-D-(6'-O-galloy)glucoside | 11972354 | Click to see | 484.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Raspberryketone glucoside | 5320521 | Click to see | 326.34 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Torachrysone 8-O-Glucoside | 11972479 | Click to see | 408.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Monosaccharides / Hexoses | |||||
| [(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl] (E)-3-phenylprop-2-enoate | 11972309 | Click to see | 310.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzopyrans / 1-benzopyrans / Chromones | |||||
| [(2S)-7-Hydroxy-2-methyl-4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-5-yl]acetic acid | 5319543 | Click to see | 236.22 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 4H-1-Benzopyran-4-one, 5-acetyl-7-hydroxy-2-methyl- | 5315891 | Click to see | 218.20 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 7-Hydroxy-2-[(2S)-2-hydroxypropyl]-5-methyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one | 45272307 | Click to see | 234.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 7-Hydroxy-2-methyl-4-oxo-4H-1-benzopyran-5-acetic acid | 14429402 | Click to see CC1=CC(=O)C2=C(C=C(C=C2O1)O)CC(=O)O | 234.20 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 7-Hydroxy-2-methyl-4-oxo-4H-1-benzopyran-5-carboxylic acid | 5315688 | Click to see CC1=CC(=O)C2=C(C=C(C=C2O1)O)C(=O)O | 220.18 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Cassiachromone | 5319500 | Click to see CC1=CC(=O)C2=C(C=C(C=C2O1)O)CC(=O)C | 232.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Biflavonoids and polyflavonoids | |||||
| 3,3'-Digalloylprocyanidin B2 | 124016 | Click to see C1C(C(OC2=C1C(=CC(=C2C3C(C(OC4=CC(=CC(=C34)O)O)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)O)OC(=O)C6=CC(=C(C(=C6)O)O)O)O)O)C7=CC(=C(C=C7)O)O)OC(=O)C8=CC(=C(C(=C8)O)O)O | 882.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| procyanidin B1 3-O-gallate | 12795888 | Click to see | 730.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Catechins / Catechin gallates | |||||
| (-)-Epicatechin gallate | 107905 | Click to see C1C(C(OC2=CC(=CC(=C21)O)O)C3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O)OC(=O)C4=CC(=C(C(=C4)O)O)O | 442.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides | |||||
| (+)-Catechin-5-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside | 6324898 | Click to see | 452.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-((2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl)oxychromen-4-one | 51402807 | Click to see | 464.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02491247 |
| 5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-[(2S,5R,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 44258737 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O | 448.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Rutin | 5280805 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Isoflavonoids / Furanoisoflavonoids / Pterocarpans | |||||
| (3S,4S,6S)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-[[(1R,12R)-5,7,11,19-tetraoxapentacyclo[10.8.0.02,10.04,8.013,18]icosa-2,4(8),9,13(18),14,16-hexaen-16-yl]oxy]oxane-3,4,5-triol | 44257441 | Click to see | 446.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Stilbenes | |||||
| Rhapontigenin | 5320954 | Click to see | 258.27 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Stilbenes / Stilbene glycosides | |||||
| [(2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[4-[(E)-2-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)ethenyl]phenoxy]-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate | 5322088 | Click to see | 542.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| resveratrol-4'-O-(2''-O-galloyl)-glucopyranoside | 10325054 | Click to see | 542.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Resveratroloside | 5322089 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C=CC2=CC(=CC(=C2)O)O)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O | 390.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Rhaponticin | 637213 | Click to see | 420.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Tannins | |||||
| 1,2,6-Tri-O-Galloyl-Beta-D-Glucose | 440308 | Click to see | 636.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 1,6-bis-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose | 440221 | Click to see | 484.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 1,6-di-O-galloyl-2-O-cinnamoyl-beta-D-glucose | 6325082 | Click to see | 614.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| beta-D-Glucopyranose, 2-((2E)-3-phenyl-2-propenoate) 1-(3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate) | 5315898 | Click to see | 462.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| beta-Glucogallin | 124021 | Click to see C1=C(C=C(C(=C1O)O)O)C(=O)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O | 332.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |