How to identify Trifolium repens (White Clover)
Trifolium repens is a species of flowering plant in the pea family (Fabaceae) known by the common name White Clover. This perennial herb is native to Europe and central Asia, and is naturalized in California. It is one of the most cultivated clovers and is an important forage crop. It is visited by honey bees and bumble bees. The species includes varieties often classed as small, intermediate, and large, according to the petiole length. The term “white clover” is applied to the species in general, “Dutch clover” is applied to the intermediate varieties (e.g., Trifolium repens var repens), and “ladino clover” is applied to large varieties (e.g., Trifolium repens var giganteum).
Photo tips:
- It’s important to get a picture of the entire plant.
- It's also helpful to get close-up pictures of the face and side of the inflorescence, sepals, leaves, and fruits, if present.
- If there are multiple plants in the picture, it’s helpful to crop your photo to focus on the plant of interest.
How to identify Trifolium repens:
- Habit: Low-growing, creeping, rooting, turf-forming.
- Stem: Stems function as stolons (aka runners) that form roots at the nodes and grow new plants from the buds.
- Leaves: Leaves are trifoliate, smooth with light or dark markings, elliptic to egg-shaped, and petioles are longer than the leaf blades. Rarely one might find a T. repens with four or more leaflets (4-leaf clover).
- Inflorescence: Heads of whitish flowers, sometimes with hints of pink or cream. 1--2.5 cm wide; pedicels 1--3 mm; flowers become reflexed as they age.
- Flower: Corollas are 7-11 mm. Calyx is 3-6 mm.
- Fruit: 3—4 seeds per pod.
- Habitat: Disturbed and grassy areas (meadows, lawns, gardens).
- Peak Flowering Time: Feb--Dec
Similar Species:
- Trifolium subterraneum (Subterranean Clover)
- Trifolium hybridum (Alsike Clover)
- Trifolium fragiferum (Strawberry Clover)
References:
- Calflora: https://www.calflora.org/app/taxon?crn=8105
- Jepson eFlora: https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=47164
iNaturalist:
** Taxa Info: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/55745-Trifolium-repens
** Parent Project: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/trifolium-clovers-of-california/
