Red Clover

(Trifolium pratense)

 

   

 

 

Color Photograph: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.)

Alien: Native of Europe.

Identification: Flowers pink to lavender, arranged in a round cluster. Flower stalks very short. Stems and leaves minutely hairy. Leaves with 3 leaflets. Each leaflet usually shows pale v-shaped markings. Plant 6 to 16 inches in height.

Distribution: Throughout North America.

Habitat: Red Clover is an abundant species of disturbed habitats such as lawns, gardens, roadsides, and fields.

Flowering period: May to September.

Similar Species: Zig-zag Clover has longer flower stalks and the leaflets are narrower. The flower heads are deeper and redder in color.

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