| a drought-resistant bush clover, Lespedeza striata, of the legume family, introduced to the southern Atlantic states from Asia, having numerous tiny trifoliate leaves valued for pasturage and hay. |
| Japan clover n. An annual plant (Lespedeza striata) native to China and Japan, having compound leaves with many leaflets and small pink axillary flowers. Cultivated as a forage plant and for soil improvement, it is widely naturalized in the southeast United States. Also called Japanese clover. |