Chinese bush clover

This pretty plant is an unwelcome sight to the botanists at nature reserves. This plant was first planted in the US in North Carolina in 1896. It was used to control erosion, re-vegetate abandoned mine sites and as forage for livestock. It was useful in areas susceptible to drought because its deep roots can keep it alive. The plant is considered invasive in many areas. When it invades a habitat it reduces the abundance and diversity of native plants and can make the area less attractive to wildlife. It may inhibit the growth of tree seedlings. It may be allelopathic, producing substances that chemically inhibit the growth of other plants.