any of various herbs or shrubs of the genus Lespedeza of the family Leguminosae, which have white, purple or pink flowers, and which are native to Australia, Asia and North America
lespedeza in American English
(ˌlɛspəˈdizə)
US
noun
any of a genus (Lespedeza) of annual or perennial plants of the pea family, cultivated for forage, hay, soil improvement, etc.
Word origin
ModL Lespedeza, erroneously for *Zespedesa, after V. M. de Zespedes, 18th-c. Sp governor of E Florida