Kummerowia stipulacea
| Kummerowia stipulacea | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Late Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Kummerowia stipulacea (common name: korean lespedeza)
Propagation: Seed - pre-soak for 24 hours in warm water and then sow late spring in situ.
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species but it should succeed as a spring-sown annual in Britain. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Easily grown in a light loam in full sun[1].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[2]. When removing plant remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant, leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.
Range: E. Asia - Japan, Korea.
Habitat: Waste ground and roadsides in C. and S. Japan[3]. Roadsides, grasslands, mountain slopes, stable or semi-stable sand dunes at elevations of 100--1200 metres in China[4].
Medicinal: The whole plant is used medicinally as a diuretic, for reducing fever, and treating diarrhea[4].
Usage: This species is much used in N. America for soil conservation and renewing worn-out soils[5]. It is a fast-growing annual, produces a good bulk and fixes a lot of atmospheric nitrogen.
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Seed Ripens: Early Fall-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: Lespedeza stipulacea. Maxim.
Links
References
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan. Smithsonian Institution, 1965.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ Hill, Albert. Economic Botany. The Maple Press, 1952.