Trifolium pratense Red clover (Leguminosae)

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Trifolium pratense
Red clover
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The Trifolium pratense plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Leguminosae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Red clover.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Trifolium pratense
Common Name:  Red clover
Family:  Leguminosae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  Diseased clover, even if no symptons of disease are visible, can contain toxic alkaloids[222].

Mature Height:  0.6   Mature Width:  0.6

Habitat:  Meadows, pastures and other grassy places[9], especially on calcareous soils. Usually found on circumneutral soils[17].

Cultivation Notes: Succeeds in a moist, well-drained circum-neutral soil in full sun[200]. Prefers a medium-heavy loam[87]. A short-lived perennial[200]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -23°c[238]. A very important food plant for the caterpillars of many butterfly and moth species[30]. It is also a good bee plant[54], but not so valuable as the white clover, T. repens[4]. 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]. Very polymorphic, there are many subspecies and varieties. 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].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

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