Technical Abstract: Invasive plants may use different strategies and mechanisms to become dominant in non native systems. To better understand the strategies and mechanisms of invading plants in tallgrass prairie, physiological and morphological characteristics of the invasive Lespedeza cuneata and native Ambrosia psilostachya and Andropogon gerardii were examined. L. cuneata possessed characteristics that complement strategies of both competition and tolerance. Total and specific leaf area exceeded that of other species and may allow L. cuneata to successfully establish and dominate in tallgrass prairie, aiding in both resource acquisiton and competitive exclusion. Physiological traits did not show a benefit to competitive success, but rather revealed characteristics of tolerance. Gas exhange traits did not exceed other species, but did remain constant throughout sampling periods. The combination of these characteristics and strategies may assist in the invasion of Lespedeza cuneata into tallgrass prairie.