Kummerowia striata

Species category

Agricultural, Turf

Common name

Japanese clover

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

OvalOval:
Broadly elliptic.

Size

  • Length 2 mm 
  • Width 1.5 mm
  • Thickness 0.5 mm 

Color

Seed is purple with light colored flecks. PodPod:
A dehiscent fruit produced by leguminous plants (beans, peas). Also known as a legume.
and calyx are brown.

Texture

Smooth and indented

Other structures

Calyx is three-fourths the length of the podPod:
A dehiscent fruit produced by leguminous plants (beans, peas). Also known as a legume.
and not slit to the base.

Identification notes

Calyx lobes are about three-fourths the length of the podPod:
A dehiscent fruit produced by leguminous plants (beans, peas). Also known as a legume.
and are not slit to the base. PodPod:
A dehiscent fruit produced by leguminous plants (beans, peas). Also known as a legume.
has short appressedAppressed:
Pressed close or lying flat against something.
hairs.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Fabaceae

Valid name

Kummerowia striata (Thunb.) Schindl.

Synonyms

Lespedeza striata (Thunb.) Hook. & Arn.

 Kummerowia striata.  Purple seeds with light colored flecks that are found in pods with appressed hairs. 
Kummerowia striata. Purple seeds with light colored flecks that are found in pods with appressed hairs.