Common Lespedeza (Japanese Clover) (Kummerowia striata): Identification & Selective Herbicide Matrix
Quick Agronomic Summary
Metsulfuron-methyl or Celsius WG in warm-season lawns, or TZone SE in cool-season lawns, eliminates Lespedeza.
- Diagnostic Marker 1: Trifoliate leaves with prominent parallel veins that look feather-like (pinnate)
- Diagnostic Marker 2: Dark green prostrate wiry stems that become tough and woody by late summer
- Diagnostic Marker 3: Tiny pink to purple flowers blooming in leaf axils from August to October
What herbicide kills Common Lespedeza in lawns?
Metsulfuron-methyl or Celsius WG in warm-season lawns, or TZone SE in cool-season lawns, eliminates Lespedeza.
Lespedeza develops woody stems in mid-summer that resist 2,4-D. Metsulfuron or Triclopyr effectively overcomes the woody barrier.
When should you treat Lespedeza?
Spray in early summer when plants are young and herbaceous before woody stem hardening.
Maintain adequate soil phosphorus and nitrogen to promote dense turf canopy cover.
EPA-Registered Herbicides Labeled for Common Lespedeza (Japanese Clover)
The table below compares all selective herbicides in our database that control Common Lespedeza (Japanese Clover), including active ingredient groups, application temperature limits (°F), and surfactant requirements.
| Brand Name & EPA Reg. | Active Ingredient & WSSA Group | Temp Window (°F) | Surfactant & Mixing Protocol | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SpeedZone Lawn Weed Killer EPA Reg. 2217-833 |
2,4-D 28.57%, Mecoprop-p 5.88%, Dicamba 1.71%, Carfentrazone-ethyl 0.62% Group 4 + Group 14 (Synthetic Auxins + PPO Inhibitor) |
50°F – 85°F Rainfast: 3h |
Do NOT add surfactant. Adding NIS or MSO increases ester volatility and causes severe contact burn on desirable cool-season turf. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
| TZone SE EPA Reg. 2217-920 |
Triclopyr 7.72%, 2,4-D 29.36%, Dicamba 2.22%, Sulfentrazone 0.66% Group 4 + Group 14 (Pyridine Auxin + Phenoxy + PPO Inhibitor) |
50°F – 80°F Rainfast: 3h |
Do NOT mix with surfactant when temperatures exceed 75°F. In cool spring or fall conditions (55°F–70°F), 0.5 tsp NIS per gallon improves waxy leaf penetration on Wild Violet. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
| Celsius WG EPA Reg. 432-1507 |
Thiencarbazone-methyl 8.7%, Iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium 1.9%, Dicamba 57.4% Group 2 + Group 4 (ALS Inhibitors + Benzoic Acid Auxin) |
65°F – 95°F Rainfast: 4h |
Apply with Non-Ionic Surfactant (NIS) at 1 tsp per gallon of water. Specifically engineered not to stunt warm-season turf during summer heat up to 95°F. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
| Hi-Yield Atrazine Weed Killer EPA Reg. 34911-15-7401 |
Atrazine 40.8% Group 5 (Photosystem II Inhibitor / Triazine) |
50°F – 85°F Rainfast: 6h |
Do NOT add surfactant when spraying actively growing St. Augustine or Centipede above 80°F to avoid foliar yellowing. Irrigate lightly within 48 hours for root uptake. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
Turfgrass Compatibility Matrix for Common Lespedeza (Japanese Clover) Herbicides
Always verify that your chosen herbicide is safe for your specific lawn grass before broadcast spraying:
| Herbicide | KBG | Tall Fescue | Ryegrass | Bermuda | St. Aug | Zoysia | Centipede | Bahia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SpeedZone Lawn Weed Killer | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | AVOID | SAFE | AVOID | SAFE |
| TZone SE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | DAMAGE RISK | AVOID | SAFE | AVOID | AVOID |
| Celsius WG | AVOID | AVOID | AVOID | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | AVOID |
| Hi-Yield Atrazine Weed Killer | AVOID | AVOID | AVOID | DORMANT ONLY | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | AVOID |
How to Distinguish Common Lespedeza (Japanese Clover) from Lookalike Weeds
| Lookalike Species | Key Botanical & Diagnostic Difference |
|---|---|
| White Clover | Lespedeza has distinct parallel herringbone veins on leaflets and becomes woody; white clover leaves have crescent watermarks and fleshy herbaceous stems. |