Trifolium elegans Savi
Trifolium hybridum L. var. elegans (Savi) Boiss.
Trifolium hybridum L. ssp. elegans (Savi) Asch. & Graebn.
Trifolium hybridum L. var. pratense Rabenh.
Trifolium hybridum L. Alsike clover
Alsike clover is a European native, introduced to North America. Although its scientific name suggests otherwise, it is not a hybrid. Identification: Plants are 1-2′ (30-60 cm) tall, typically somewhat smaller than red clover and larger than white clover. It has multiple hairless, fairly flexible stems. Leaves occur in threes (hence the genus name), each about ¾″ (2 cm) long, and attached directly to the petiole (stem) that supports the leaf cluster. The leaves are oval-shaped, with smooth-appearing edges that have tiny teeth on them if you look really closely. There are no chevrons on the leaves as with red clover. Flowers are ½-¾″ (1.3-1.9 cm) around, and may be pink on the bottom, grading to white on the top; or pink throughout. The shade of pink is lighter than with red clover. Here is a comparison among red, white, alsike, and crimson clovers: |
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Trifolium repens |
You are here Trifolium hybridum |
Trifolium incarnatum |
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Common Name | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Plant | Plant stems are 4-16″ (10-40 cm) long, but often lying on their sides, so these clovers are usually close to the ground | 1-2′ (30-60 cm) tall, typically somewhat smaller than red clover and larger than white clover. It has multiple hairless, fairly flexible stems | 1½′ (50 cm) high. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flowers | On flower stalks 1-4″ (2.5-10 cm) long. Flowerheads are ½-1¼″ (1.3-3.2 cm) around, rounded, white, sometimes pinkish | ½-¾″ (1.3-1.9 cm) around, and may be pink on the bottom, grading to white on the top; or pink throughout. The shade of pink is lighter than with red clover | Deep red, forming rounded conical flowerheads about 1″ (2.5 cm) tall and ⅝″ (1.7 cm) around. Flowering occurs during April to May. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Leaves | In groups of 3. Leaflets are oval, ½-1¼″ (1.3-3.2 cm) long, with a slight indentation at the end. Each leaflet has a pale green "V" close to the base and slightly toothed leaf edges | In groups of three, each about ¾″ (2 cm) long, and attached directly to the stem that supports the leaf cluster. Leaves are oval-shaped, with smooth-appearing edges that have tiny teeth, and no chevrons | Leaves are round or oval, in groups of three, each roughly at right angles to the others. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Range/ Zones | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Habitats | Waste ground, pastures, open fields, roadsides, railroads | Moist meadows near woodlands, pastures, abandoned fields, and roadsides | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Type | Wild | Wild | Wild | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Occurrence | Very common | Common, but less so than red and white clovers |
Online References:
SEINet—the Southwest Environmental Information Network
Trifolium elegans Savi
Trifolium hybridum L. var. elegans (Savi) Boiss.
Trifolium hybridum L. ssp. elegans (Savi) Asch. & Graebn.
Trifolium hybridum L. var. pratense Rabenh.
Trifolium hybridum description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 17 Aug 2021.
Range: