Global InformationKummerowia striata information
| Kummerowia striata | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Kummerowia |
| Species: | K. striata
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| Binomial name | |
| Kummerowia striata (Thunb.) Schindl. (1912)
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Kummerowia striata is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common names Japanese clover and common lespedeza.[2][3] It is native to much of Asia and it is present in the eastern United States as an introduced species.[4]
This annual herb grows prostrate, spreading, or erect stems. It grows up to 40 centimeters 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.[5] The fruit is a small legume pod containing one seed.[5]
At the close of the American Civil War, this plant appeared all over the southern United States.[6] It was likely introduced to North America accidentally, possibly as a seed contaminant, but it was later imported and planted intentionally. It was used to vegetate pastures and provide forage for livestock. Along with Korean clover it was used to revegetate abandoned coal mine sites and to prevent erosion, as it thrives in sandy soils that have been disturbed by human activity. It is still used today. Cultivars are available, including "Kobe".[7]
It has benefits to human health and agriculture, as well as providing a food source to numerous species across the food web. Nevertheless, this plant is sometimes invasive.[5]
- ^ Kummerowia striata (Thunb.) Schindl. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:22was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
:72was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Kummerowia striata". Flora of China.
- ^ a b c Gucker, Corey L. (2010). "Kummerowia stipulacea and K. striata". Fire Effects Information System. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
- ^
Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "United States". The American Cyclopædia.
- ^ "Kummerowia striata" (PDF). USDA Plant Fact Sheet.
