It is native to China, Japan, Korea, and Russia, and it is present in the eastern United States as an introduced species.

[1] This annual herb grows prostrate, spreading, or erect stems.

[2] Though it often co-occurs with its congener Kummerowia striata, it is easily identified by large papery stipules which are especially visible for young leaves.

This species and Japanese clover were used to revegetate abandoned coal mine sites.

[2] Today this plant grows in the wild and provides food for a number of mammal and bird species.