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

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