About

Kummerowia striata is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common names Japanese clover and common lespedeza. It is native to much of Asia and it is present in the eastern United States as an introduced species.

This annual herb grows prostrate, spreading, or erect stems. It grows up to 40 cm (16 in) tall. The leaves are made up of three oval leaflets. Flowers occur in the leaf axils. There are cleistogamous flowers, which self-fertilize and never open, and chasmogamous flowers, which open and receive pollen from other plants. The fruit is a small legume pod containing one seed.

Where it grows

Kummerowia striata is native to China, and Japan. The plant is invasive in North America, and it is distributed along the east coast from New York to Florida. It reaches as far west as New Mexico. It was first noticed in Charleston, Virginia in the 1840s. Kummerowia striata is most likely to be found in fields, woods, on the side of roads, or other areas where the ground may have been disturbed. It is uncommon to find a single Kummerowia striata; it is more likely to find a group of them. Kummerowia striata will grow best in moist sandy soil with direct sunlight, but can still grow in other conditions. Kummerowia striata can grow in the 4.5–7.0 pH range, but thrives at 6.0–6.5.

Uses

Kummerowia striata is a food source for numerous species across the food chain from pollinators to herbivores. Most of the pollination is done by bees and they are the only ones who leave the plant intact after they visit. Species of caterpillars, beetles, and moths all eat the leafy parts of this plant at some point in their life stages. The seeds of K. striata are consumed by the Prairie Deer Mouse, gamebirds, and songbirds. Deer, and other herbivores also munch on this plant, choosing to eat the leaves and other foliage.

Other Kummerowia plants

Korean clover · Lespedeza