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White Clover

Trifolium repens

Photo by Neil Ross
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

White clovers are part of the pea family Fabaceae. The genus name, Trifolium, derives from the Latin tres, "three", and folium, "leaf", so called from the characteristic form of the leaf, which has three leaflets (trifoliate); hence the popular name trefoil. The species name, repens, is Latin for "creeping". Besides making an excellent forage crop for livestock, clovers are a valuable survival food: they are high in proteins, widespread, and abundant. The fresh plants have been used for centuries as additives to salads and other meals consisting of leafy vegetables. White clover has also been used as minor folk medicine by the Cherokee, Iroquois, Mohegan and other Native American tribes for centuries.

Habitat:

White clover grows among turfgrass, crops, and in a large number of other landscapes. It is also found in a limited range of different field type environments. It's very common in suburban lawns in Australia.

Notes:

People complain about having clover in their lawn as if it's the end of the world. I do know for a fact, however, that native animals like Bearded Dragons love clover and I've witnessed them feeding on it. Haven't seen them feeding on buffalo or couch grass lately, so anything that attracts wildlife to the yard is fine in my book. The clover stays, and this photo is my proof.

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