Common Lespedeza, Japanese Clover

[Kummerowia striata (Thunb.) Schindl.]

[formerly Lespedeza striata (Thunb.) Hook. and Arn.]

Fabaceae (Legume Family)

▲▼ young plants

▲▼ young plants

▲ stem showing downward-pointed hairs

▲▼ young plants

▲▼ young plant

▲▼ mature flowering plants

Annual Lespedeza: (not in Weeds of the Great Plains, nor Weeds of the Northeast)

·          wiry-stemmed, much branched summer annual with 3 leaflets; grows 6-18” tall & wide—but can survive close mowing

·         has tiny (1/8") rose and white pea-like flowers (in Legume family)

·         grows in dry, sunny, low fertility soils; very heat tolerant

·         common turf weeds

·         probably controlled better with post-emergent rather than pre-emergent herbicides

·         Korean Lespedeza—has hairs that point upwards on stems and petioles; larger, more rounded leaves

·         Common Lespedeza—has hairs that point downward on stems, petioles; smaller, more elongated/narrow leaves