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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: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Synonyms
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.
| Composition
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| Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.
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Leaves (Fresh weight)
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- 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:
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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
Other Uses
None known
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.
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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
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
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 it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
| Related Plants
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| Latin Name | Common Name | Edibility Rating | Medicinal Rating |
| Trifolium bifidum | Piñole Clover, Notchleaf clover | 2 | 0 |
| Trifolium ciliatum | Foothill Clover | 2 | 0 |
| Trifolium cyathiferum | Cup Clover | 1 | 0 |
| Trifolium dichotomum | Branched Indian Clover | 2 | 0 |
| Trifolium dubium | Suckling Clover | 0 | 1 |
| Trifolium fimbriatum | Springbank Clover, Cows clover | 3 | 0 |
| Trifolium fucatum | Sour Clover, Bull clover | 2 | 0 |
| Trifolium fucatum virescens | | 2 | 0 |
| Trifolium gracilentum | Pin-Point Clover, Palmer's clover | 2 | 0 |
| Trifolium hybridum | Alsike Clover | 2 | 1 |
| Trifolium incarnatum | Crimson Clover | 2 | 0 |
| Trifolium lupinaster | Lupine clover | 1 | 0 |
| Trifolium macrocephalum | Bighead Clover, Largehead clover | 1 | 0 |
| Trifolium microcephalum | Smallhead Clover | 1 | 0 |
| Trifolium obtusiflorum | Clammy Clover | 2 | 0 |
| Trifolium ornithopodioides | Birdsfoot Fenugreek, Bird clover | 1 | 0 |
| Trifolium pratense | Red Clover | 3 | 3 |
| Trifolium repens | White Clover, Dutch Clover, Purple Dutch Clover, Shamrock, White Clover | 3 | 2 |
| Trifolium subterraneum | Subterranean Clover | 1 | 0 |
| Trifolium tridentatum | Tomcat Clover | 2 | 0 |
| Trifolium variegatum | Whitetip Clover | 1 | 0 |
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Expert comment
Author
A.Gray.
Botanical References
204
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
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