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| T.repens |
| Courtesy of UGA Herbarium |
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Common Names: (Gillet, 1985)
Higher Taxa: (Takhtajan, 1997)
Identification:
Gillet describes the species as follows: "Glabrous perennial...with rhizomatous, prostrate solid stolons, rooting at the nodes. Leaves long-petioled, 0.1 to 2 dm long, not especially shorter towards the tip of the stolon. Stipules membranous, veiny, whit, lanceolate with a short filiform tip. Leaflets green or with a white wedge-shaped mark, 1 to 3 cm long, 1 to 2.5 cm broad, cuneate-obovate to orbicular, rounded to emarginate or obtuse, denticulate in the upper part. Inflorescence long, peduncles scapiform, to 3.5 cm long, usually extending above the leaves. Heads globose, umbellate, becoming hemispherical in fruit, 20 to 40 flowered(or more), bracts membranous. Pedicels often sparsely puberulent, elongating and recurving in age, the inner longer than the outer. Flowers 6 to 10 mm long, fragrant, white, later turning pinkish. Calyx tube campanulate, usually 10-veined, the teeth lancelate-subulate, unequal, the upper slightly shorter than the tube. Ovary sessil, oblong, ovules 4 to 5. Legume sessil, linear, exserted, three to four-seeded. Seeds ovoid-truncate, yellowish, ca 1.5 mm long"(Gillet, 1985). White clover appears as a "dense, (http://www.pathfinder.com/@@*13fyQUA@9oWvRfC/vg/TimeLife/CG/Books/E16/Html/E16095X.html) In addition, it has a "creeping stem that roots at the nodes"(http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/turf/publications/weed10.html) To follow this species through its key out click here.
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| T.repens |
| Courtesy of UGA Herbarium |
Geography:
This species has a wide range of locations covering Europe, North America, South America, Africa, and Asia(Zohary and Heller, 1984). The leader in production and development of this clover is New Zealand(http://www.modernforage.com/clover.htm. It is widely distributed throughout the northern hemisphere including the southeastern United States(Gillet, 1985).
Trifolium repens | ||
| AREA | STATUS | REFERENCES |
| North America: Continental United States; Canada |
Yes | Gillet 1985 |
| Eastern North America: United States east of Mississippi; Ontario and eastern Canada |
Yes | Gillet 1985 |
| Southeastern United States: AL AR DE DC FL GA KY MD NC SC TN VA WV |
Yes | Gillet 1985 |
| Southern Appalachian
States: AL GA KY MD NC SC TN VA WV |
Yes | Gillet 1985 |
| Coastal Plain | ? | - |
| Piedmont | Widespread | Radford, Ahles & Bell, 1968; Jones & Coile, 1988 |
| Blue Ridge Mountains | Widespread | Radford, Ahles & Bell, 1968 |
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Yes | Radford, Ahles & Bell, 1968 |
| Ridge and Valley | Yes | Jones & Coile, 1988 |
| Cumberland Plateau | Yes | Jones & Coile, 1988 |
| Central Arch | ? | - |
| Georgia | Yes | Jones & Coile, 1988 |
| Clarke County, Georgia | Yes | Jones & Coile, 1988 |
| Sams Farm | Yes | Brenda Rone, Pers. Ob. |
| Old Field | Yes | Brenda Rone, Pers. Ob. |
| Wetland | ? | - |
| Woods | Rare | Brenda Rone, Pers. Ob. |
| 1-Hectare Plot | No | Brenda Rone, Pers. Ob. |
Trifolium repens is a very important pasture legume in temperate zones. It is " a perennial plant in areas where summer rainfall is adequate. In other areas it reestablishes each fall from seed." The blooming period for these plants is from March to October. "T. repens is excellent for pasture land when it is in correct balance with grass" (http://www.modernforage.com/clover.htm). There are many benefits of white clover to soil. They are as follows: "the heavy root system of clovers (1) makes the soil mellow and suitable for the best development of roots of other plants, (2) makes it possible for a greater number of the lower forms of plant life to live and work in the soil, (3) increases the water-holding capacity of the soil, from baking, (4) assists in keeping light soils from blowing and washing and heavy soils from baking, and (5) deepens the soil and aids in drainage." "...They improve soil fertility and structure, protect soil from rainfall, prevent water runoff and erosion, reduce pollution in streams and rivers, and increase animal productivity"(Gillet, 1985). T. repens can be plagued by numerous diseases caused by such organisms as fungi, bacteria, and viruses. These , in turn, affect livestock and soil fertility(Latch & Skipp, 1987). Trifolium repens is also known for its poisoning of livestock. To learn more about this problemclick here to view a site by Derek Munro.
How to Encounter:
T. repens would be easiest to find during its blooming time from March to October. The most common place to look would be in pasture land due to its key role in maintenance of fertile land. Also, look along forest edges and meadows(Gillet, 1985).