Japanese clover
(Kummerowia striata)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Appearance
Kummerowia striata is an annual plant that can reach 16 in. (40 cm) in height.
Foliage
Leaves are alternate, trifoliate, petiolate and up to 0.75 in. (4 cm) long. Leaves are subtended with 0.1-0.6 in. (3-6 mm) long, lance-shaped stipules.
Flowers
Flowers are pink, purple and white, 0.2-0.3 in. (5-8 mm) long and papilionaceous.
Fruit
Fruits are 0.2 in. (4 mm) long legumes and each contain a single seed.
Ecological Threat
Kummerowia striata occurs in fields, open woods, roadsides and other disturbed sites. It is native to Asia and was introduced into the United States around 1850.
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council - Category 4
- Indiana Invasive Species Council - Invasive Plant List
- Invasive Plant Species of West Virginia
- Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
- Kentucky Exotic Pest Plant Council - Significant Threat
- National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team Invasive Plant List
- Non-Native Invasive Plants of Arlington County, Virginia
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
- West Virginia Native Plant Society, Flora West Virginia Project, and West Virginia Curatorial Database System, September 3, 1999
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Rosanae |
| Order: Fabales |
| Family: Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: Faboideae |
| Tribe: Desmodieae |
| Genus: Kummerowia |
| Kummerowia striata |
Synonyms and Other Names
Other Common Names:
Japanese clover, common lespedeza
Related Scientific Names:
Lespedeza striata (Synonym)
References
Common Name Reference: Weed Science Society of America Common Names List
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.