Kummerowia striata

Also known as Common Lespedeza, it can be considered a weed and a forage. It is a warm season annual that is a legume. Legumes fix nitrogen from the air and bring it down into the soil. It grows well in acidic soil and can have weed-like tendencies in lawns. To prevent its growth in lawns you should take a soil sample to correct your soil pH. Make sure your grass fits the soil conditions of your property and fertilize at the recommended rates of your soil sample.

Different types of lespedeza can be planted in the piedmont and can work well with Tall Fescue. Tall Fescue is a cool season grass and does not produce as much biomass in the summer. Lespedeza grows well in the hotter summer months but will stop growing once we get our first hard frost. With it previously being mentioned as a legume it can support Tall Fescue as long as it does not receive a large amount of nitrogen fertilizer. The NC State Planting Guide for Forage Crops mentions mid to late February as the best planting date for the piedmont region.

Proper fertilization can stunt Common Lespedeza growth. It was mentioned in the section above that if you are wanting this plant as a forage you must limit your nitrogen application. In your lawn you should take a soil sample to correct any fertility issues you may have. A strong grass stand will prevent Common Lespedeza from spreading.

If Common Lespedeza is growing in an undesirable location it can be readily controlled with a variety of herbicides. 2,4-D and Dicamba both control Lespedeza. Multiple herbicides labeled for use in lawns contain one or more herbicides in addition to the ones listed above. Always read the pesticide label as the label is the law. If you have any questions please contact your local Cooperative Extension Office.