white clover
Family
FabaceaeScientific Name
Trifolium repens
Other Common Names:
dutch clover
ladino clover
Habit
This creeping perennial has compound leaves formed from three leaflets. It can be found from midspring trough the summer, and into early autumn if it has enough water through the drier summer months.
Leaves
The leaves are formed from three elliptic shaped leaflets. Each leaflet has small teeth along the edges, and usually has a light green or white band near the base.
Identifying Characteristics
The flowers have no collar beneath the head, and the calyx is hairless.
Flower Seed Head
The flowers are usually white or light pink, browning with age. They grow from separate stalks, arranged in aggregated, round clumps.
Seed Fruit
The seeds grow in seedpods and range from 1 to 7 seeds per pod. The seeds have extremely hard seed coats.
Where Found
The seeds grow in seedpods and range from 1 to 7 seeds per pod. The seeds have extremely hard seed coats.
Growth Habit
prostrate and nonwoody
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
Varies:
pencil,
dime
Dominant Flower Color
Varies:
white,
pink
Flower Symmetry
radial symmetery
Leaf Hairs
no hairs
Leaf Shape
Varies:
round,
oval
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
entire
Leaf Structure
trifoliate
Leaf Stalk
Varies:
shorter than leaf,
longer than leaf
Stem Hairs
no hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
Varies:
fibrous,
taproot,
stolons present
Life Cycle
perennial
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Herb