White clover

White clover (Trifolium repens) is a species of clover native to Europe, North Africa, and West Asia. It has been widely introduced worldwide as a pasture crop, and is now also common in most grassy areas of North America and New Zealand.

Description

White clover is a herbaceous perennial plant that is low growing, with heads of whitish flowers with a tinge of pink. The leaves are trifoliate (three leaflets), each leaflet 15–30 mm long and 8–15 mm broad, green with a characteristic pale crescent in the outer half of the leaf. The petiole is 1–4 cm long, with two basal stipules. The flowers are white or pinkish, becoming brown and deflexed as the corolla fades.

Distribution and habitat

White clover is native to Europe, North Africa, and West Asia. It has been introduced worldwide as a pasture crop, and is now found in every county in the United States and most of Canada. It grows in a wide variety of habitats, including lawns, meadows, open woodlands, and disturbed areas.

Uses

White clover is a common component of pasture mixes and is an important forage crop. It is also used as a cover crop in agriculture due to its ability to fix nitrogen and improve soil fertility. In addition, white clover is a popular choice for lawns due to its resistance to drought and ability to outcompete weeds.

Cultivation

White clover can be grown from seed, which is often mixed with grass seed for lawns. It prefers full sun, but can tolerate partial shade, and is adaptable to a variety of soil conditions, although it prefers well-drained soil.

Ecology

White clover is a food source for many species of wildlife, including deer, rabbits, and insects such as bees and butterflies. It is also a host plant for the larvae of some species of Lepidoptera, such as the Green-veined White butterfly.

See also

• Red clover
• Clover
• Trifolium

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