Korean Lespedeza, Korean Clover
Kummerowia stipulacea (Maxim.) Makino
([formerly Lespedeza stipulacea Maxim.)
Fabaceae (Legume Family)
▲ seedlings
▲ young plant
▲▼plant showing upward-pointing hairs on stem
▲▼ young plant
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