Trifolium repens White clover (Leguminosae) Evergreen perennial

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Trifolium repens
White clover
Evergreen perennial
(1 Page of 5)

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

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Trifolium repens
Common Name:  White clover
Family:  Leguminosae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  This plant has been known to cause problems for grazing animals, though this has never happened in Britain[76]. The problem may be associated with the climate in which the plant is growing[76]. The species is polymorphic for cyanogenic glucosides[218]. The leaves and flowers of certain cyanogenic phenotypes contain a glucoside which releases cyanide on contact with the enzyme linamarase[218].

Mature Height:  0.1   Mature Width:  1

Habitat:  Grassland and lawns, preferring a calcareous clay soil[9, 17].

Cultivation Notes: Succeeds in a moist, well-drained circum-neutral soil in full sun, preferring a sweet calcareous clay soil. Succeeds in poor soils. A very important food plant for the caterpillars of many butterfly and moth species[30] it is also a good bee plant[54]. A good companion plant in the lawn, tolerating trampling[18, 54], but it dislikes growing with henbane or members of the buttercup family[18]. 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]. Polymorphic, there are many subspecies and varieties. Some varieties have also been selected for use in lawn mixes[183]. 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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