Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...

s in the

legume A legume () is a plant in the family Fabaceae (or Leguminosae), or the fruit or seed of such a plant. When used as a dry grain, the seed is also called a pulse. Legumes are grown agriculturally, primarily for human consumption, for livestock f ...

or pea family

Fabaceae The Fabaceae or Leguminosae,International Code of Nomenc ...

originating in Europe. The genus has a

cosmopolitan distribution In biogeography, cosmopolitan distribution is the term for the range of a taxon that extends across all or most of the world in appropriate habitats. Such a taxon, usually a species, is said to exhibit cosmopolitanism or cosmopolitism. The ext ...

with highest diversity in the temperate

Northern Hemisphere The Northern Hemisphere is the half of Earth that is north of the Equator. For other planets in the Solar System, north is defined as being in the same celestial hemisphere relative to the invariable plane of the solar system as Earth's Nort ...

, but many species also occur in

South America South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere at the northern tip of the continent. It can also be described as the southe ...

and

Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...

, including at high altitudes on mountains in the tropics. They are small annual, biennial, or short-lived

perennial A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives more than two years. The term ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the years") is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. The term is also wide ...

herbaceous Herbaceous plants are vascular plants that have no persistent woody stems above ground. This broad category of plants includes many perennials, and nearly all annuals and biennials. Definitions of "herb" and "herbaceous" The fourth edition of t ...

plants, typically growing up to 30 cm tall. The

leaves A leaf (plural, : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant plant stem, stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", wh ...

are

trifoliate The following is a list of terms which are used to describe leaf morphology in the description and taxonomy of plants. Leaves may be simple (a single leaf blade or lamina) or compound (with several leaflets). The edge of the leaf may be regular o ...

(rarely quatrefoiled; see

four-leaf clover The four-leaf clover is a rare variation of the common three-leaf clover. According to traditional sayings, such clovers bring good luck, though it is not clear when or how this idea began. One early mention of "Fower-leafed or purple grasse" is ...

), monofoil, bifoil, cinquefoil, hexafoil, septfoil, etcetera, with stipules

adnate Adnate may refer to: * Adnation, in botany, the fusion of two or more whorls of a flower * Adnate, in mycology, a classification of lamellae (gills) * Conjoined twins Conjoined twins – sometimes popularly referred to as Siamese twins – are ...

to the leaf-stalk, and heads or dense spikes of small red, purple, white, or yellow flowers; the small, few-seeded pods are enclosed in the

calyx Calyx or calyce (plural "calyces"), from the Latin ''calix'' which itself comes from the Ancient Greek ''κάλυξ'' (''kálux'') meaning "husk" or "pod", may refer to: Biology * Calyx (anatomy), collective name for several cup-like structures ...

. Other closely related genera often called clovers include ''

Melilotus ''Melilotus'', known as melilot, sweet clover, and kumoniga (from the Cumans),Bulgarian Folk Customs, Mercia MacDermott, pg 27 is a genus in the family Fabaceae (the same family that also includes the ''Trifolium'' clovers). Members are known ...

'' (sweet clover) and ''

Medicago ''Medicago'' is a genus of flowering plants, commonly known as medick or burclover, in the legume family (Fabaceae). It contains at least 87 species and is distributed mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The best-known member of the genus is ...

'' (

alfalfa Alfalfa () (''Medicago sativa''), also called lucerne, is a perennial flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae. It is cultivated as an important forage crop in many countries around the world. It is used for grazing, hay, and silage, as w ...

Calvary clover ''Medicago intertexta'', the hedgehog medick, Calvary clover, or Calvary medick, is a flowering plant of the family ''Fabaceae''. It is found primarily in the western Mediterranean basin. It forms a symbiotic relationship with the bacterium '' S ...

Cultivation

Several species of clover are extensively cultivated as fodder plants. The most widely cultivated clovers are

white clover ''Trifolium repens'', the white clover, is a herbaceous perennial plant in the bean family Fabaceae (otherwise known as Leguminosae). It is native to Europe, including the British Isles,Clapham, A.R., Tutin, T.G. and Warburg., E.F. 1968. ''Excursi ...

, ''Trifolium repens'', and red clover, ''Trifolium pratense''. Clover, either sown alone or in mixture with ryegrass, has for a long time formed a staple crop for silaging, for several reasons: it grows freely, shooting up again after repeated mowings; it produces an abundant crop; it is palatable to and nutritious for

livestock Livestock are the domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to provide labor and produce diversified products for consumption such as meat, eggs, milk, fur, leather, and wool. The term is sometimes used to refer solely to animals ...

; it fixes nitrogen, reducing the need for synthetic

fertilizer A fertilizer (American English) or fertiliser (British English; see spelling differences) is any material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to soil or to plant tissues to supply plant nutrients. Fertilizers may be distinct from ...

s; it grows in a great range of

soil Soil, also commonly referred to as earth or dirt, is a mixture of organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and organisms that together support life. Some scientific definitions distinguish ''dirt'' from ''soil'' by restricting the former te ...

s and

climate Climate is the long-term weather pattern in an area, typically averaged over 30 years. More rigorously, it is the mean and variability of meteorological variables over a time spanning from months to millions of years. Some of the meteorologic ...

s; and it is appropriate for either pasturage or green composting. In many areas, particularly on acidic soil, clover is short-lived because of a combination of insect pests, diseases and nutrient balance; this is known as "clover sickness". When

crop rotation Crop rotation is the practice of growing a series of different types of crops in the same area across a sequence of growing seasons. It reduces reliance on one set of nutrients, pest and weed pressure, and the probability of developing resistant ...

s are managed so that clover does not recur at intervals shorter than eight years, it grows with much of its pristine vigor. Clovers are most efficiently pollinated by

bumblebee A bumblebee (or bumble bee, bumble-bee, or humble-bee) is any of over 250 species in the genus ''Bombus'', part of Apidae, one of the bee families. This genus is the only extant group in the tribe Bombini, though a few extinct related gener ...

s, which have declined as a result of agricultural intensification.Bumbles make beeline for gardens, study suggests
Retrieved 27 November 2010. Honeybees can also pollinate clover, and

beekeeper A beekeeper is a person who keeps honey bees. Beekeepers are also called honey farmers, apiarists, or less commonly, apiculturists (both from the Latin '' apis'', bee; cf. apiary). The term beekeeper refers to a person who keeps honey bees i ...

s are often in heavy demand from farmers with clover pastures. Farmers reap the benefits of increased reseeding that occurs with increased bee activity, which means that future clover yields remain abundant. Beekeepers benefit from the clover bloom, as clover is one of the main nectar sources for honeybees. Clovers & Zrebar

Trifolium repens ''Trifolium repens'', the white clover, is a herbaceous perennial plant in the bean family Fabaceae (otherwise known as Leguminosae). It is native to Europe, including the British Isles,Clapham, A.R., Tutin, T.G. and Warburg., E.F. 1968. ''Excursio ...

'', white or Dutch clover, is a perennial abundant in meadows and good pastures. The flowers are white or pinkish, becoming brown and deflexed as the corolla fades. ''

Trifolium hybridum ''Trifolium hybridum'', the alsike clover, is a species of flowering plant in the pea family Fabaceae. The stalked, pale pink or whitish flower head grows from the leaf axils, and the trifoliate leaves are unmarked. The plant is up to tall, and ...

'', alsike or Swedish clover, is a perennial which was introduced early in the 19th century and has now become naturalized in Britain. The flowers are white or rosy, and resemble those of ''Trifolium repens''. ''

Trifolium medium ''Trifolium medium'', the zigzag clover, is a flowering plant species in the bean family Fabaceae. It is similar in appearance to red clover, ''Trifolium pratense'', but the leaflets are narrower and have no white markings and the narrow stipules ...

'', meadow or zigzag clover, a perennial with straggling flexuous stems and rose-purple flowers, has potential for interbreeding with ''T. pratense'' to produce perennial crop plants. Other species are: ''

Trifolium arvense ''Trifolium arvense'', commonly known as the hare's-foot clover, rabbitfoot clover, stone clover or oldfield clover, is a flowering plant in the bean family Fabaceae. This species of clover is native to most of Europe, excluding the Arctic zone, ...

'', hare's-foot trefoil; found in fields and dry pastures, a soft hairy plant with minute white or pale pink flowers and feathery sepals; '' Trifolium fragiferum'', strawberry clover, with globose, rose-purple heads and swollen calyxes; ''

Trifolium campestre ''Trifolium campestre'', commonly known as hop trefoil, field clover and low hop clover, is a species of flowering plant native to Europe and western Asia, growing in dry, sandy grassland habitats, fields, woodland margins, roadsides, wastelands ...

'', hop trefoil, on dry pastures and roadsides, the heads of pale yellow flowers suggesting miniature hops; and the somewhat similar '' Trifolium dubium'', common in pastures and roadsides, with smaller heads and small yellow flowers turning dark brown.

Uses

Clover is foraged by wildlife, including bears, game animals, and birds. Native Americans ate the plants raw and cooked, drying and smoking the roots. The seeds from the blossoms were used to make bread. It is also possible to make tea from the blossoms.

Symbolism

Shamrock A shamrock is a young sprig, used as a symbol of Ireland. Saint Patrick, Ireland's patron saint, is said to have used it as a metaphor for the Christian Holy Trinity. The name ''shamrock'' comes from Irish (), which is the diminutive of ...

, the traditional Irish symbol, which according to legend was coined by

Saint Patrick Saint Patrick ( la, Patricius; ga, Pádraig ; cy, Padrig) was a fifth-century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. Known as the "Apostle of Ireland", he is the primary patron saint of Ireland, the other patron saints be ...

for the

Holy Trinity The Christian doctrine of the Trinity (, from 'threefold') is the central dogma concerning the nature of God in most Christian churches, which defines one God existing in three coequal, coeternal, consubstantial divine persons: God the F ...

, is commonly associated with clover, although alternatively sometimes with the various species within the genus '' Oxalis'', which are also trifoliate. Clovers occasionally have four leaflets, instead of the usual three. These

s, like other rarities, are considered lucky. Clovers can also have five, six, or more leaflets, but these are rarer still. The clovers outer leaf structure varies in physical orientation. The record for most leaflets is 56, set on 10 May 2009. This beat the "21-leaf clover",''Clover Sets Record''. Neatorama. Retrieved on 2008-12-07 from http://www.neatorama.com/2008/06/11/21-leaf-clover-sets-record 21-leaf. a record set in June 2008 by the same discoverer, who had also held the prior

Guinness World Record ''Guinness World Records'', known from its inception in 1955 until 1999 as ''The Guinness Book of Records'' and in previous United States editions as ''The Guinness Book of World Records'', is a reference book published annually, listing world ...

of 18. A common

idiom An idiom is a phrase or expression that typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase; but some phrases become figurative idioms while retaining the literal meaning of the phrase. Categorized as formulaic language, ...

is "to be (or to live) in clover", meaning to live a carefree life of ease, comfort, or prosperity. A

cloverleaf interchange A cloverleaf interchange is a two-level interchange in which all turns are handled by slip roads. To go left (in right-hand traffic; reverse directions in left-driving regions), vehicles first continue as one road passes over or under the ...

is named for the resemblance to the leaflets of a (four-leaf) clover when viewed from the air. File:4-leaf clover.JPG, Four-leaf white clover (''

'') File:Five-leaf Clover, Megan McCarty128.jpg, Five-leaf red clover ('' Trifolium pratense'')

Phylogeny

The first extensive classification of ''Trifolium'' was done by Zohary and Heller in 1984. They divided the genus into eight sections: ''Lotoidea, Paramesus, Mistyllus, Vesicamridula, Chronosemium, Trifolium, Trichoecephalum,'' and ''Involucrarium,'' with ''Lotoidea'' placed most basally. Within this classification system, ''

'' falls within section ''Lotoidea'', the largest and least heterogeneous section. ''Lotoidea'' contains species from America, Africa, and Eurasia, considered a clade because of their inflorescence shape, floral structure, and legume that protrudes from the calyx. However, these traits are not unique to the section, and are shared with many other species in other sections. Zohary and Heller argued that the presence of these traits in other sections proved the basal position of ''Lotoidea'', because they were ancestral. Aside from considering this section basal, they did not propose relationships between other sections. Since then, molecular data has both questioned and confirmed the proposed phylogeny from Zohary and Heller. A genus-wide molecular study has since proposed a new classification system, made up of two subgenera, ''Chronosemium'' and ''Trifolium.'' This recent reclassification further divides subgenus ''Trifolium'' into eight sections. The molecular data supports the monophyletic nature of three sections proposed by Zohary and Heller (''Tripholium, Paramesus,'' and ''Trichoecepalum''), but not of ''Lotoidea'' (members of this section have since been reclassified into five other sections). Other molecular studies, although smaller, support the need to reorganize ''Lotoidea.''

Selected species

The genus ''Trifolium'' currently has 245 recognized species: * '' Trifolium acaule'' A. Rich. * ''

Trifolium affine Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus ...

'' C. Presl * ''

Trifolium africanum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus ...

'' Ser. * '' Trifolium aintabense'' Boiss. & Hausskn. * ''

Trifolium albopurpureum ''Trifolium albopurpureum'' is a species of clover known by the common name rancheria clover. It is native to the west coast of North America from British Columbia, California and the Sierra Nevada (U.S.), Sierra Nevada, to Baja California. It c ...

'' Torr. & A. Gray – rancheria clover * '' Trifolium alexandrinum'' L. – Egyptian clover, berseem clover * ''

Trifolium alpestre ''Trifolium alpestre'', the owl-head clover or purple-globe clover, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to central, southern and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Turkey, and Iran. It reproduces both clonally and by seed. ...

'' L. * '' Trifolium alpinum'' L. – alpine clover * ''

Trifolium amabile Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Kunth * ''

Trifolium ambiguum ''Trifolium ambiguum'', the kura clover or Caucasian clover, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. It is native to Ukraine, Crimea, south European Russia, the North Caucasus, northern Caucasus, Turkey, Iraq, and Iran, and has be ...

'' M. Bieb. * ''

Trifolium amoenum ''Trifolium amoenum'', known by the common names showy Indian clover and two-fork clover, is endemic to California, and is an endangered annual herb that subsists in grassland areas of the San Francisco Bay Area and the northern California Coast ...

'' Greene – showy Indian clover * '' Trifolium andersonii'' A. Gray – Anderson's clover or fiveleaf clover * '' Trifolium andinum'' Nutt. – Intermountain clover * '' Trifolium andricum'' Lassen * ''

Trifolium angulatum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Waldst. & Kit. * '' Trifolium angustifolium'' L. * '' Trifolium apertum'' Bobrov * '' Trifolium argutum'' Banks & Sol. * ''

'' L. – hare's-foot clover * ''

Trifolium attenuatum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Greene * ''

Trifolium aureum ''Trifolium aureum'', known by the various common names large hop trefoil, large trefoil, large hop clover, golden clover or hop clover, is a species of flowering plant native to much of Eurasia. Large hop trefoil is a small erect herbaceous b ...

'' Pollich – large hop trefoil * ''

Trifolium baccarinii Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Chiov. * ''

Trifolium badium ''Trifolium badium'', the brown clover or brown trefoil, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to most of mainland Europe, the Caucasus, Turkey, Iraq, and Iran. It is a locally important forage in sub-alpine pastures. S ...

'' Schreb. * ''

Trifolium barbeyi Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Gibelli & Belli * '' Trifolium barbigerum'' Torr. – bearded clover * ''

Trifolium barnebyi Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' (Isely) Dorn & Lichvar * '' Trifolium batmanicum'' Katzn. * '' Trifolium beckwithii'' W. H. Brewer ''ex'' S. Watson – Beckwith's clover * '' Trifolium bejariense'' Moric. * ''

Trifolium berytheum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Boiss. & Blanche * ''

Trifolium bifidum ''Trifolium bifidum'' is a species of clover known by the common names notchleaf clover and pinole clover. It is native to the western United States from Washington to California, where it grows in many types of habitat. It is an annual herb spre ...

'' A. Gray – notchleaf clover * '' Trifolium bilineatum'' Fresen. * ''

Trifolium billardierei Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Spreng. * ''

Trifolium bivonae Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Guss. * ''

Trifolium blancheanum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Boiss. * '' Trifolium bocconei'' Savi * ''

Trifolium boissieri Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Guss. ''ex'' Soy.-Will. & Godr. * ''

Trifolium bolanderi ''Trifolium bolanderi'' is a species of clover known by the common names Bolander's clover and parasol clover. Distribution The perennial herb is Endemism, endemic to California. It is known only from the meadows of the central Sierra Nevada (U. ...

'' A. Gray * '' Trifolium brandegeei'' S. Watson * ''

Trifolium breweri ''Trifolium breweri'', which has the common names forest clover and Brewer's clover, is a perennial clover that is native to mixed evergreen forests and coastal coniferous forests in Southern Oregon and California. It belongs to the family Fab ...

'' S. Watson – forest clover * ''

Trifolium brutium Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Ten. * ''

Trifolium buckwestiorum ''Trifolium buckwestiorum'' is a rare species of clover known by the common name Santa Cruz clover. Distribution It is endemic to California, where it is known from nine or ten small occurrences in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Sonoma Counties. It ...

'' Isely – Santa Cruz clover * '' Trifolium bullatum'' Boiss. & Hausskn. * ''

Trifolium burchellianum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Ser. * ''

Trifolium calcaricum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' J. L. Collins & Wieboldt * '' Trifolium calocephalum'' Fresen. * ''

'' Schreb. – hop trefoil * ''

Trifolium canescens Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus ...

'' Willd. * ''

Trifolium carolinianum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Michx. * ''

Trifolium caucasicum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Tausch * '' Trifolium caudatum'' Boiss. * ''

Trifolium cernuum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Brot. * '' Trifolium cheranganiense'' J. B. Gillett * ''

Trifolium cherleri ''Trifolium cherleri'', the cupped clover, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae The Fabaceae or Leguminosae,

'' L. * ''

Trifolium chilaloense Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Thulin * '' Trifolium chilense'' Hook. & Arn. * ''

Trifolium chlorotrichum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Boiss. & Balansa * '' Trifolium ciliolatum'' Benth. – foothill clover * '' Trifolium cinctum'' DC. * ''

Trifolium clusii Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Godr. & Gren. * '' Trifolium clypeatum'' L. * '' Trifolium congestum'' Guss. * '' Trifolium constantinopolitanum'' Ser. * '' Trifolium cryptopodium'' Steud. ''ex'' A. Rich. * '' Trifolium cyathiferum'' Lindl. – cup clover * ''

Trifolium dalmaticum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Vis. * '' Trifolium dasyphyllum'' Torr. & A. Gray * ''

Trifolium dasyurum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' C. Presl * '' Trifolium davisii'' M. Hossain * '' Trifolium decorum'' Chiov. * ''

Trifolium depauperatum ''Trifolium depauperatum'' is a species of clover known by the common names cowbag clover, poverty clover, and balloon sack clover. Distribution The plant is native to western North America from British Columbia to California, as well as to wes ...

'' Desv. – cowbag clover, balloon sack clover, or poverty clover * ''

Trifolium dichotomum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Hook. & Arn. * '' Trifolium dichroanthoides'' Rech. f. * ''

Trifolium dichroanthum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus ...

'' Boiss. * ''

Trifolium diffusum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae The Fabaceae or Leguminosae, ...

'' Ehrh. * '' Trifolium dolopium'' Heldr. & Hausskn. ''ex'' Gibelli & Belli * '' Trifolium douglasii'' House * '' Trifolium dubium''

Sibth. John Sibthorp (28 October 1758 – 8 February 1796) was an English botanist. Education Sibthorp graduated from the University of Oxford in 1777 where he was an undergraduate student at Lincoln College, Oxford. He subsequently studied medic ...

– lesser hop trefoil * '' Trifolium echinatum'' M. Bieb. * ''

Trifolium elgonense Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' J. B. Gillett * '' Trifolium eriocephalum'' Nutt. – woollyhead clover * '' Trifolium eriosphaerum'' Boiss. * ''

Trifolium erubescens Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Fenzl * ''

Trifolium euxinum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus ...

'' Zohary * ''

Trifolium eximium Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Stephan ''ex'' Ser. * '' Trifolium fragiferum'' L. – strawberry clover * '' Trifolium friscanum'' (S.L. Welsh) S.L. Welsh * ''

Trifolium fucatum ''Trifolium fucatum'' is a species of clover known by the common names bull clover and sour clover. It is native to the western United States (California and Oregon), where it grows in many types of habitat, becoming common to abundant in some ar ...

'' Lindl. – bull clover or sour clover * ''

Trifolium gemellum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Pourr. ''ex'' Willd. * '' Trifolium gillettianum'' Jacq.-Fél. * ''

Trifolium glanduliferum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Boiss. * ''

Trifolium globosum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' L. * '' Trifolium glomeratum'' L. – clustered clover or bush clover * ''

Trifolium gordejevii Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' (Kom.) Z. Wei * '' Trifolium gracilentum'' Torr. & A. Gray – pinpoint clover * ''

Trifolium grandiflorum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Schreb. * '' Trifolium gymnocarpon'' Nutt. – hollyleaf clover * '' Trifolium haussknechtii'' Boiss. * '' Trifolium haydenii'' Porter * ''

Trifolium heldreichianum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus ...

'' (Gibelli & Belli) Hausskn. * ''

Trifolium hirtum ''Trifolium hirtum'' is a species of clover known by the common name rose clover. It is native to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. It is present elsewhere as an introduced species and it is cultivated as a cover crop and animal fodder. It ...

'' All. – rose clover * '' Trifolium howellii'' S. Watson – canyon clover or Howell's clover * ''

'' L. – Alsike clover * ''

Trifolium incarnatum ''Trifolium incarnatum'', known as crimson clover or Italian clover, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to most of Europe. It has been introduced to other areas, including the United States and Japan. This upright ...

'' L. – crimson clover * ''

Trifolium israeliticum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Zohary & Katzn. * ''

Trifolium isthmocarpum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Brot. * '' Trifolium jokerstii'' Vincent & Rand. Morgan * ''

Trifolium juliani Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Batt. * ''

Trifolium kingii ''Trifolium kingii'', the King's clover, is a perennial clover in the legume family ( Fabaceae) The plant is native to the Western United States, in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah Utah ( , ) is a state in the Mountain West subr ...

'' S. Watson * '' Trifolium lanceolatum'' (J. B. Gillett) J. B. Gillett * ''

Trifolium lappaceum ''Trifolium lappaceum'', the burdock clover, is a species of annual herb in the family Fabaceae. They have a self-supporting growth form and compound, broad leaves. Sources References {{Taxonbar, from=Q4223163 lappaceum Flora of Malta< ...

'' L. * ''

Trifolium latifolium Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' (Hook.) Greene * '' Trifolium latinum'' Sebast. * ''

Trifolium leibergii ''Trifolium leibergii'' is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name Leiberg's clover. It is native to Oregon and Nevada in the United States.Trifolium lemmonii ''Trifolium lemmonii'' is a species of clover known by the common name Lemmon's clover. Distribution The plant is endemic to the northern Sierra Nevada in eastern California and just into Nevada. It is a resident of the coniferous forests and ...

'' S. Watson – Lemmon's clover * '' Trifolium leucanthum'' M. Bieb. * ''

Trifolium ligusticum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Balb. ''ex'' Loisel. * ''

Trifolium longidentatum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Nábelek * '' Trifolium longipes'' Nutt. – longstalk clover * ''

Trifolium lucanicum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Gasp. ''ex'' Guss. * '' Trifolium lugardii'' Bullock * '' Trifolium lupinaster'' L. * '' Trifolium macilentum'' Greene * ''

Trifolium macraei ''Trifolium macraei'' is a species of clover known by the common names Chilean clover, double-head clover, and MacRae's clover. It has a disjunct distribution, occurring on the coastline of Oregon and California in the United States, as well as ...

'' Hook. & Arn. – Chilean clover, double-head clover, or MacRae's clover * ''

Trifolium macrocephalum ''Trifolium macrocephalum'' is a species of clover known by the common name largehead clover or bighead clover. It is native to the Great Basin region of the western United States, from Washington to northern California, and Nevada to Idaho. It ...

'' (Pursh) Poir. – largehead clover * '' Trifolium masaiense'' J. B. Gillett * '' Trifolium mattirolianum'' Chiov. * ''

Trifolium mazanderanicum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus ...

'' Rech. f. * ''

'' L. – zigzag clover * ''

Trifolium meduseum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Blanche ''ex'' Boiss. * ''

Trifolium meironense Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Zohary & Lerner * '' Trifolium michelianum'' Savi. * ''

Trifolium micranthum ''Trifolium micranthum'', the slender trefoil or slender hop clover, is a plant species of the genus ''Trifolium'' in the "pea family" ; Fabaceae The Fabaceae or Leguminosae,Trifolium microcephalum'' Pursh – smallhead clover * ''

Trifolium microdon ''Trifolium microdon'' is a species of clover known by the common name thimble clover. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to southern California, where it grows in many types of habitat, including disturbed areas. It is a ...

'' Hook. & Arn. – thimble clover * ''

Trifolium miegeanum Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (from Latin ''tres'' 'three' + ''folium'' 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus h ...

'' Maire * ''Trifolium monanthum'' A. Gray – mountain carpet clover * ''Trifolium montanum'' L. * ''Trifolium mucronatum'' Willd. ''ex'' Spreng. * ''Trifolium multinerve'' A. Rich. * ''Trifolium mutabile'' Port. * ''Trifolium nanum'' Torr. * ''Trifolium neurophyllum'' Greene * ''Trifolium nigrescens'' Domenico Viviani, Viv. * ''Trifolium noricum'' Wulfen * ''Trifolium obscurum'' Savi * ''Trifolium obtusiflorum'' Hook. & Arn. – clammy clover * ''Trifolium occidentale'' Coombe * ''Trifolium ochroleucon'' Huds. - sulphur clover * ''Trifolium oliganthum'' Steud. – fewflower clover * ''Trifolium ornithopodioides'' L. * ''Trifolium owyheense'' Gilkey * ''Trifolium pachycalyx'' Zohary * ''Trifolium palaestinum'' Boiss. * ''Trifolium pallescens'' Schreb. * ''Trifolium pallidum'' Waldst. & Kit. * ''Trifolium pannonicum'' Jacq. – Hungarian clover * ''Trifolium parnassi'' Boiss. & Spruner * ''Trifolium parryi'' A. Gray * ''Trifolium patens'' Schreb. * ''Trifolium patulum'' Tausch * ''Trifolium pauciflorum'' d'Urv. * ''Trifolium petitianum'' A. Rich. * ''Trifolium philistaeum'' Zohary * ''Trifolium phitosianum'' N. Böhling et al. * ''Trifolium phleoides'' Pourr. ''ex'' Willd. * ''Trifolium physanthum'' Hook. & Arn. * ''Trifolium physodes'' Steven ''ex'' M. Bieb. * ''Trifolium pichisermollii'' J. B. Gillett * ''Trifolium pignantii'' Brongn. & Bory * ''Trifolium pilczii'' Adamović * ''Trifolium pilulare'' Boiss. * ''Trifolium pinetorum'' Greene * ''Trifolium plebeium'' Boiss. * ''Trifolium plumosum'' Douglas * ''Trifolium polymorphum'' Poir. * ''Trifolium polyodon'' Greene * ''Trifolium polyphyllum'' C. A. Mey. * ''Trifolium polystachyum'' Fresen. * ''Trifolium praetermissum'' Greuter et al. * '' Trifolium pratense'' L. – red clover * ''Trifolium prophetarum'' M. Hossain * ''Trifolium pseudostriatum'' Baker f. * ''Trifolium purpureum'' Loisel. * ''Trifolium purseglovei'' J. B. Gillett * ''Trifolium quartinianum'' A. Rich. * ''Trifolium radicosum'' Boiss. & Hohen. * ''Trifolium reflexum'' L. – buffalo clover * ''

'' L. – shamrock (white clover) * ''Trifolium resupinatum'' L. – Persian clover, shaftal * ''Trifolium retusum'' L. * ''Trifolium riograndense'' Burkart * ''Trifolium roussaeanum'' Boiss. * ''Trifolium rubens'' L. * ''Trifolium rueppellianum'' Fresen. * ''Trifolium salmoneum'' Mouterde * ''Trifolium saxatile'' All. * ''Trifolium scabrum'' L. * ''Trifolium schimperi'' A. Rich. * ''Trifolium scutatum'' Boiss. * ''Trifolium sebastianii'' Savi * ''Trifolium semipilosum'' Fresen. * ''Trifolium setiferum'' Boiss. * ''Trifolium simense'' Fresen. * ''Trifolium sintenisii'' Freyn * ''Trifolium siskiyouense'' J. M. Gillett * ''Trifolium somalense'' Taub. * ''Trifolium spadiceum'' L. * ''Trifolium spananthum'' Thulin * ''Trifolium spumosum'' L. * ''Trifolium squamosum'' (or ''maritimum'') L. – sea clover * ''Trifolium squarrosum'' L. * ''Trifolium stellatum'' L. * ''Trifolium steudneri'' Schweinf. * ''Trifolium stipulaceum'' Thunb. * ''Trifolium stoloniferum'' Muhl. ''ex'' A. Eaton – running buffalo clover * ''Trifolium stolzii'' Harms * ''Trifolium striatum'' L. – knotted clover * ''Trifolium strictum'' L. * ''Trifolium subterraneum'' L. – subterranean clover * ''Trifolium suffocatum'' L. * ''Trifolium sylvaticum'' Gérard ''ex'' Loisel. * ''Trifolium tembense'' Fresen. * ''Trifolium thalii'' Vill. * ''Trifolium thompsonii'' C. V. Morton – Thompson's clover * ''Trifolium tomentosum'' L. * ''Trifolium triaristatum'' Bertero ''ex'' Colla * ''Trifolium trichocalyx'' A. Heller – Monterey clover * ''Trifolium trichocephalum'' M. Bieb. * ''Trifolium trichopterum'' Pančić * ''Trifolium tumens'' Steven ''ex'' M. Bieb. * ''Trifolium ukingense'' Harms * ''Trifolium uniflorum'' L. * ''Trifolium usambarense'' Taub. * ''Trifolium variegatum'' Nutt. – whitetip clover * ''Trifolium vavilovii'' Eig * ''Trifolium velebiticum'' Degen * ''Trifolium velenovskyi'' Vandas * ''Trifolium vernum'' Phil. * ''Trifolium vesiculosum'' Savi * ''Trifolium vestitum'' D. Heller & Zohary * ''Trifolium virginicum'' Small * ''Trifolium wentzelianum'' Harms * ''Trifolium wettsteinii'' Dörfl. & Hayek * ''Trifolium wigginsii'' J. M. Gillett * ''Trifolium willdenovii'' Curt Polycarp Joachim Sprengel, Spreng. − tomcat clover * ''Trifolium wormskioldii'' Johann Georg Christian Lehmann, Lehm. – cow clover

References

External links

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Quattrofolium
Edible parts and visual identification of wild clover.
Nitrogen fixation
{{Authority control Forages Garden plants Groundcovers Nitrogen-fixing crops Trifolium, Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus