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Kummerowia striata - (Thunb.)Schindl.

Common Name Common Lespedeza, Japanese clover
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Waste ground and roadsides all over Japan[58]. Clayey, sandy and gravelly soils, riverbanks, roadsides and non-populated areas, always in large quantities[74].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Manchuria.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Kummerowia striata Common Lespedeza, Japanese clover


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Kummerowia striata Common Lespedeza, Japanese clover

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Kummerowia striata is a ANNUAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in). It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects, Cleistogomy (self-pollinating without flowers ever opening).
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Hedysarum striatum. Lespedeza striata. (Thunb.)Hook.&Arn.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed
Edible Uses:

Seed - cooked. The seed can be ground into a meal and used with cereal flours in making bread etc[105, 177]. The seed contains 26.4 - 51.9% protein and 4.3 - 7.3% fat[218]. Young plant - cooked[105, 177]. A nutritional analysis is available[218].

References   More on Edible Uses

Composition
Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.
Leaves (Dry weight)
  • 0 Calories per 100g
  • Water : 0%
  • Protein: 14.5g; Fat: 2.4g; Carbohydrate: 75g; Fibre: 34g; Ash: 8.5g;
  • Minerals - Calcium: 1090mg; Phosphorus: 235mg; Iron: 32mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 0mg; Potassium: 1100mg; Zinc: 0mg;
  • Vitamins - A: 5mg; Thiamine (B1): 1mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0mg; Niacin: 0mg; B6: 0mg; C: 0mg;
  • Reference: [ 218]
  • Notes: The figures given here are median figures of a range quoted in the report.

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent  Diuretic  Dysentery  Febrifuge  Miscellany

The whole plant is used medicinally as a diuretic, for reducing fever, and treating diarrhea[266]. A decoction of the plant is used in the treatment of extreme physical debility and swellings[218]. It is boiled with Centella asiatica and Prunella vulgaris for the treatment of dysentery, headache and vertigo[218]. A broth is used to improve the appetite[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Miscellany  Soil reclamation

The plant is fast growing and has an extensive root system. It has been widely used, especially in N. America, for restoring fertility to worn-out soils[171].

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species but it should succeed as a spring-sown annual in Britain. See the plants native habitat for ideas on its cultivation needs. Plants sometimes produce cleistogamous flowers. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. When removing plant remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant, leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and sow in situ in mid spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation (Primorye, Amur, Sakhalin), China, Korea, Japan (incl. Ryukyus), Taiwan (north) TROPICAL ASIA: Vietnam

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Kummerowia stipulaceaKorean Lespedeza, Korean cloverAnnual0.4 0-0 FLMHNDM013

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Thunb.)Schindl.

Botanical References

5874266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

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