Korean Clover

Scientific Name: Kummerowia stipulacea (Maxim.) Makino


Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Magnoliopsida / Rosidae / Fabales / Fabaceae / Leguminosae / Kummerowia Schindl./ Kummerowia stipulacea (Maxim.) Makino

Korean Clover
General Information
Usda SymbolKUST
GroupDicot
Life CycleAnnual
Growth HabitsForb/herb
Native LocationsKUST

Plant Guide

Use a soil moisture meter to monitor the soil moisture where Korean Clover is planted.

Fact Sheet

Alternate Names

Lespedeza stipulacea Maxim, , Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Korean Clover.

Uses

Annual lespedezas are generally used for wildlife food and cover, forage, cover or nurse crop, and as temporary cover for erosion control.

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

Weediness

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please consult with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service office, or state natural resource or agriculture department regarding its status and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS Web site at plants.usda.gov.

Description

Korean and common lespedeza (Kummerowia striata) are introduced, annual, warm-season legumes. Flowers and seeds are borne in the leaf axils at the tips of stems and branches in the Korean lespedeza and in the leaf axils all along the stem in common lespedeza. Two types of flowers are produced. One is readily seen as purple-bluish and the other has no petals and is inconspicuous. Korean lespedeza has a much broader leaflet and stipule than common, and growth is generally larger and coarser. Common lespedeza grows more prostrate. The seed varies from the shiny black of Korean to the stippled seed of common. There are approximately 343,000 seeds per pound of common lespedeza and 240,000 seeds per pound of Korean lespedeza.

Adaptation and Distribution

Distribution

Distribution

Korean is better adapted than common lespedeza in the North because of its shorter life cycle. Both types grow in a pH range of 4.5-7.0, but do best at 6.0-6.5. Common lespedeza (cultivar ‘Kobe’) is more tolerant of acid soils. They both grow in soil textures ranging from sands to clays and at fertility levels from low to high. Korean lespedeza is distributed throughout the midwest and eastern United States. For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Website.

Establishment

Seeding should be done in the early spring at a rate of 25 to 40 lb/acre in a well prepared seedbed. Seeding may be accomplished by drilling or broadcasting. If drilling, the seed should be placed at a depth of ½ inch. When broadcasting the seed, incorporate lightly by raking and then pack the soil surface. As with all legumes, the correct species rhizobial bacteria innoculant should be used. Annual Lespedeza may be seeded alone or preferably mixed with grain, grass, or other legumes. Soil fertility should be adjusted according to soil test recommendations.

Management

Annual lespedezas should be grazed or cut for hay when in ½ bloom stage. All harvesting methods should leave a 3-inch stubble. Lespedezas are good companions with bunch-type grasses such as timothy, orchardgrass, and tall fescue. Sod-forming grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass provide too much competition. The advantage of using lespedeza with grasses is that the legume can provide much needed summer grazing when cool-season grasses are dramatically slower in biomass production. Lespedezas will reseed themselves but must be mechanically reseeded at some point to maintain adequate stands. Read about Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation Service.

Pests and Potential Problems

Annual lespedezas are relatively unaffected by insect pests and diseases. Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) The three cultivars of Korean lespedeza are ‘Climax’, ‘Harbin’, and ‘Rowan’. ‘Kobe’ is the one important variety of common lespedeza. Seed is readily available from commercial seed dealers

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Temperature, Minimum (°F)6
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Anaerobic ToleranceLow
CaCO3 ToleranceLow
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Drought ToleranceMedium
Fertility RequirementLow
Fire ToleranceMedium
Frost Free Days, Minimum160
Hedge ToleranceNone
Moisture UseLow
pH, Maximum7.5
pH, Minimum5.5
Precipitation, Maximum65
Precipitation, Minimum30
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)8
Salinity ToleranceLow
Shade ToleranceIntolerant


Morphology/Physiology

After Harvest Regrowth RateSlow
ToxicitySlight
Shape and OrientationDecumbent
Nitrogen FixationMedium
Resprout AbilityNo
Active Growth PeriodSpring and Summer
BloatNone
C:N RatioLow
Coppice PotentialNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Fire ResistantNo
Flower ColorPurple
Flower ConspicuousNo
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage Porosity SummerPorous
Foliage TextureFine
Fruit/Seed ColorBlack
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Growth FormMultiple Stem
Growth RateRapid
Height, Mature (feet)1.5
Known AllelopathNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Low Growing GrassNo
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous


Reproduction

Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Seed per Pound238160
Seed Spread RateRapid
Seedling VigorHigh
Small GrainNo
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSpring
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Bloom PeriodLate Spring
Propagated by CuttingsNo


Suitability/Use

Veneer ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Protein PotentialLow
Post ProductNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable Graze AnimalHigh
Palatable Browse AnimalLow
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Fodder ProductYes
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo

Korean Clover

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