Japanese clover

Family

Fabaceae

Scientific Name

Kummerowia striata

Other Common Names:

common lespedeza

Synonyms (former Scientific Names):

Lespedeza striata

Habit

Common Lespedeza can found in fields, pastures, open woods, stream banks, roadsides, railroads, waste ground, disturbed and cultivated sites.

Leaves

Leaves of this plant consist of 3 oblong leaflets (trifoliolate), 1/2 to 3/4 inch long and 1/3 to 1/2 as wide, obtuse at apex, narrowed at the base. Leaflets are without hairs except for oppressed hairs along the margins and mid-vein beneath. Lance-shaped stipules are present, 3-6 mm long, becoming brownish with age. Petioles are 1-2 mm long, much shorter than the leaves.

Identifying Characteristics

This plant is utilized for horse and cattle forage. It was brought to this country around 1850 and has spread rapidly.

Flower Seed Head

The plant has both conspicuous chasmogamous flowers and diminutive cleistogamous flowers, both of which are fertile. The flowers are actually quite striking up close but the plant is basically too small to have much ornamental value. Flowing occurs during July - October.

Seed Fruit

Fruits occur in a legume that is 3-4 mm long, tapering to a pointed apex.

Where Found

Common Lespedeza are found throughout the southeast of the US.

Growth Habit

prostrate and nonwoody

Thorns or Spines

not present

Approximate Flower Diameter

Varies:

pencil,

dime

Dominant Flower Color

Varies:

purple,

pink

Flower Symmetry

bilateral symmetry

Leaf Hairs

no hairs

Leaf Shape

oval

Leaf Arrangement

alternate

Leaf Margin

entire

Leaf Structure

trifoliate

Leaf Stalk

shorter than leaf

Stem Hairs

has hairs

Stem Cross Section

round or oval

Milky Sap

not present

Root Structure

taproot

Life Cycle

summer annual

Ochrea

not present

Plant Type

Herb