Kummerowia striata

Kummerowia striata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Genus:	Kummerowia
Species:	K. striata
Binomial name
Kummerowia striata (Thunb.) Schindl.
Synonyms
Lespedeza striata

Lespedeza striata

Kummerowia striata is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name Japanese clover. 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 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. The fruit is a small legume pod containing one seed.

This plant 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. It was also used to prevent erosion. It is still used today. Cultivars are available, including "Kobe".

This plant grows in the wild and is sometimes invasive.

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Wikipedia