Common Lespedeza (Kummerowia striata)

Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Kummerowia striata is a ANNUAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in). It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects, Cleistogomy (self-pollinating without flowers ever opening). It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Seed - cooked. The seed can be ground into a meal and used with cereal flours in making bread etc. The seed contains 26.4 - 51.9% protein and 4.3 - 7.3% fat. Young plant - cooked. A nutritional analysis is available. — The seed can be ground into a meal and used with cereal flours in making bread etc.; The seed contains 26.4 - 51.9% protein and 4.3 - 7.3% fat.; Young plant - cooked.; A nutritional analysis is available.

Habitat & North American Range

Waste ground and roadsides all over Japan. Clayey, sandy and gravelly soils, riverbanks, roadsides and non-populated areas, always in large quantities. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)