Korean Lespedeza
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