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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Trifolium is a ANNUAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[161]. Eaten sparingly when young[257]. Seed - raw or cooked[105]. It can be used as a piñole[257]. The seed can be sprouted and added to salads or it can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a thickener in soups etc or mixed with cereals when making bread etc.

References More on Edible Uses

Composition

Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.

Leaves (Fresh weight)

0 Calories per 100g
Water : 81%
Protein: 4g; Fat: 0.7g; Carbohydrate: 0g; Fibre: 2.6g; Ash: 2g;
Minerals - Calcium: 0mg; Phosphorus: 0mg; Iron: 0mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 0mg; Potassium: 0mg; Zinc: 0mg;
Vitamins - A: 0mg; Thiamine (B1): 0mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0mg; Niacin: 0mg; B6: 0mg; C: 0mg;
Reference: [ 218]
Notes:

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dynamic accumulator.

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in a moist, well-drained circum-neutral soil in full sun[200]. Succeeds in poor soils. It grows well in an apple orchard, the trees will produce tastier fruit that stores better[201]. It should not be grown with camellias or gooseberries because it harbours a mite that can cause fruit drop in the gooseberries and premature budding in the camellias[201]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. Buttercups growing nearby depress the growth of the nitrogen bacteria by means of a root exudate[201]. When removing plant remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant, leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in spring in situ. If the seed is in short supply it might be better to sow it in pots in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Oregon, Washington (s.-c.), California)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Trifolium bifidum	Piñole Clover, Notchleaf clover	Annual	0.5	0-0		LMH	N	M	2	0	3
Trifolium ciliatum	Foothill Clover	Annual	0.5	0-0		LMH	N	M	2	0	3
Trifolium cyathiferum	Cup Clover	Annual	0.5	0-0		LMH	N	M	1	0	2
Trifolium dichotomum	Branched Indian Clover	Annual	0.6	0-0		LMH	N	M	2	0	2
Trifolium dubium	Suckling Clover	Annual	0.5	0-0		LMH	N	M	0	1	3
Trifolium fimbriatum	Springbank Clover, Cows clover	Perennial	1.0	0-0		LMH	N	M	3	0	2
Trifolium fucatum	Sour Clover, Bull clover	Annual	0.6	0-0		LMH	N	M	2	0	2
Trifolium fucatum virescens		Annual	0.6	0-0		LMH	N	M	2	0	2
Trifolium gracilentum	Pin-Point Clover, Palmer's clover	Annual	0.6	0-0		LMH	N	M	2	0	2
Trifolium hybridum	Alsike Clover	Perennial	0.6	0-0		LMH	N	M	2	1	2
Trifolium incarnatum	Crimson Clover	Annual	0.5	3-9	M	LMH	N	M	2	0	4
Trifolium lupinaster	Lupine clover	Perennial	0.5	0-0		LMH	N	M	1	0	2
Trifolium macrocephalum	Bighead Clover, Largehead clover	Perennial	0.3	4-8		LMH	N	M	1	0	3
Trifolium microcephalum	Smallhead Clover	Annual	0.6	-		LMH	N	M	1	0
Trifolium obtusiflorum	Clammy Clover	Annual	1.0	0-0		LMH	N	M	2	0	2
Trifolium ornithopodioides	Birdsfoot Fenugreek, Bird clover	Annual/Perennial	0.2	0-0		LMH	N	MWe	1	0	3
Trifolium pratense	Red Clover	Perennial	0.6	5-9	M	LMH	N	M	3	3	4
Trifolium repens	White Clover, Dutch Clover, Purple Dutch Clover, Shamrock, White Clover	Perennial	0.1	4-8	M	LMH	N	M	3	2	4
Trifolium subterraneum	Subterranean Clover	Annual	0.2	7-10		LMH	N	M	1	0	4
Trifolium tridentatum	Tomcat Clover	Annual	0.6	0-0		LMH	N	M	2	0	2
Trifolium variegatum	Whitetip Clover	Annual	1.0	-		LMH	N	M	1	0

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Trifolium - A.Gray.