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
▲▼ mature flowering plants
▲ flower
Annual Lespedeza:
· 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