Stems (7–)20–50 cm, hairs retrorse. Leaves: stipules 5–7 mm, acuminate; leaflets uni­form, blades narrowly oblong-obovate or narrowly elliptic, abaxial surface pubescent on midrib, margins ciliate, apex acute to obtuse; terminal leaflet 4–23 × 2–8 mm. Peduncles 0.5–1 mm in cleistogamous flowers, 4–5 mm in chasmogamous; densely puberulent, hairs ascend­ing. Inflorescences: chasmogamous flowers (1 or)2, cleistogamous flowers 2; prophylls 2, blades ovate, proximal one 0.3 mm, second proximal one 1 mm. Bracts: proximal bracts minute, subulate; second proximal blade distinct, elliptic, 0.8 mm; distal blades broadly ovate, 1.5 mm, 5+-veined. Chasmogamous flowers 5–6 mm; calyx 3.2–3.5 mm, appressed-pilose or glabrous, lobe margins densely ciliate. Cleistogamous flowers 2.5–3 mm, petals rudimentary, 1 mm, stamens 1 mm. Legumes broadly obovoid to ± globose, 3.5 × 3–3.5 mm, densely appressed-puberulent, 2/3+ covered by persistent calyx; apex acute. Seeds 2.5–3 × 2 mm. 2n = 22.

Phenology: Flowering Jul–Sep.
Habitat: Pastures, old fields, roadsides, diverse barren or eroding ruderal sites, urban waste areas, lawns.
Elevation: 10–400 m.

Distribution

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Introduced; Ala., Ark., Conn., Del., D.C., Fla., Ga., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Md., Miss., Mo., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Okla., Pa., S.C., Tenn., Tex., Vt., Va., W.Va., Asia, introduced also in Pacific Islands (Hawaii), Australia.

Discussion

Kummerowia striata was introduced in the flora area in the nineteenth century and was widely naturalized in the southeastern United States by the 1860s (D. Isely 1948).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.