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| ## korean lespedeza {#korean-lespedeza .Title-Header}                 |
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| *Kummerowia stipulacea* (Maxim.) Makino                               |
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| Plant Symbol = KUST                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Northeast Plant Materials Program

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.0in" height="2.6666666666666665in"}

From Delaware Wildflowers

##### Alternate Names {#alternate-names .Header-3}

Lespedeza stipulacea Maxim.

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

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

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

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 {#weediness .Header-3}

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 {#description .Header-3}

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 {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

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 {#establishment .Header-3}

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 {#management .Header-3}

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.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

Annual lespedezas are relatively unaffected by insect pests and
diseases.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

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

##### Control {#control .Header-3}

Please contact your local agricultural extension specialist or county
weed specialist to learn what works best in your area and how to use it
safely. Always read label and safety instructions for each control
method. Trade names and control measures appear in this document only to
provide specific information. USDA, NRCS does not guarantee or warranty
the products and control methods named, and other products may be
equally effective.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

USDA NRCS Northeast Plant Materials Program

##### 

##### Edited: 05Feb2002 JLK; 060802 jsp {#edited-05feb2002-jlk-060802-jsp .Header-4}

#####  {#section-1 .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
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