Lespedeza

Lespedeza, often called Common Lespedeza or Japanese Clover, is a warm-season annual broadleaf weed that thrives in thin, under-fertilized lawns. It grows close to the ground, forming dense mats that crowd out desirable turfgrass. While its small, clover-like leaves may appear harmless, Lespedeza is a tough competitor that can quickly spread across lawns during summer months.

How to Identify

Lespedeza has trifoliate (three-leaf) clusters resembling clover but with distinctive oblong leaves that have parallel veins and a short, sharp tip. The stems are wiry and woody near the base, lying flat along the ground as they spread. In late summer, it produces small pink to purple flowers in the leaf axils. As the plant matures, the stems become tough and wiry, making mowing less effective.

Lifecycle

Lespedeza is a summer annual, germinating in spring when soil temperatures rise above 55°F. It grows throughout the warm months, flowering and producing seed from mid to late summer before dying with the first frost. Seeds can persist in the soil, re-establishing infestations year after year.

Prevention & Control

The best defense against Lespedeza is a dense, well-fertilized lawn. Apply pre-emergent herbicides in early spring to prevent germination and selective post-emergent herbicides labeled for broadleaf weeds during active growth. Because of its woody stems, multiple treatments may be necessary for mature plants. Mowing at the correct height for your turf type helps limit sunlight to seedlings and reduces spread.