The first European record of Lespedeza cuneata (Fabaceae), an invasive alien species of Union concern

In 2019, Lespedeza cuneata (Chinese bushclover), a subshrub native from Afghanistan to Japan, tropical Asia and eastern and southeastern Australia, was included in the second update of the EU Regulation 1143/2014. As a consequence, it is subject to restrictions on keeping, importing, selling, breeding and growing, although it should be noted that it had not been recorded in the wild so far in the European Union. In 2022, this species was recorded on the banks of the Vesdre river in Goffontaine in the easternmost part of Belgium. Details about this first European record are presented. In compliance with the Regulation, the single individual found was removed.