Common Lespedeza, Japanese clover

Kummerowia striata

Physical Characteristics

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.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Manchuria.

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].

Medicinal Uses

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].

Known Hazards

None known