Common Lespedeza

Common Lespedeza, Japanese Clover

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

Fabaceae (Legume Family)

▲ ▼ 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