Sericea lespedeza is deep-rooted. It grows from April through September and is killed back to the crown by hard frosts. Striate lespedeza differs in appearance from the other annual species, Korean lespedeza. Striate lespedeza leaflets are narrower, and flowers and seeds are borne in leaf axils, whereas Korean lespedeza flowers and seeds are found at the ends of stems where leaflets turn forward to form a cone-like structure. Hairs on the stems of striate lespedeza point downward, while hairs on Korean lespedeza point upwards.
Striate seed is blotched in color, while Korean seed is black and shiny.
Striate lespedeza flowers about three weeks later than Korean lespedeza and will not set seed until November. Plants are killed by hard frosts. If this occurs before seed matures, the crop may not produce enough seed to reseed itself. Undependable natural reseeding in areas prone to early frost has been the primary disadvantage of striate lespedeza in the northern parts of its range. Striate lespedeza has a prostrate growth habit which makes it better suited to pasture than hay.