Japanese Clover
Kummerowia striata
This plant houses specialized root nodules containing symbiotic bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into natural fertilizer, enriching the surrounding soil.
- Scientific name
- Kummerowia striata
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Fabales › Fabaceae › Kummerowia
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- increasing
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Fields, roadsides, pastures, and disturbed open areas
- Diet
- Autotrophic (Photosynthesis)
- Range
- Japan, China, Korea, Eastern United States (introduced)
- Size
- 10 to 40 cm tall, with prostrate branching stems up to 50 cm long
- Lifespan
- 1 year (annual)
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Intensive agricultural herbicides and concrete urbanization.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. This plant is completely safe to touch and walk on. It is highly resilient to trampling and is often used as forage for livestock. No special precautions are needed; feel free to examine its tiny, pink-striped flowers up close.
Kummerowia striata is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name Japanese clover . It is native to much of Asia and it is present in the eastern United States as an introduced species.
Photo: 葉子, CC0, via iNaturalist
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