Pussy clover Trifolium arvense
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- try-FOH-lee-um ar-VEN-see
- Description
-
Hair-foot clover is an annual or biannual in the legume family that is native to Europe and western Asia and is found in all areas of NC. Its common name Hare's-foot clover is a direct reference to its flowers, which resemble a hare's paw or tail. It can easily be identified by its fuzzy flower heads. It is found in sandy soils at the edge of fields, roadways, sand dunes, vineyards and orchards. It is widespread in the eastern and pacific areas of North America.
It is a nitrogen-fixation plant and has been used as a cover crop in low-nitrogen soils. Sheep and goats will graze the leaves. It is also considered an invasive plant in other areas. Grows best in sun to partial sun in sandy soils.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant reseeds itself and can become invasive in favorable locations such as sandy disturbed areas. Wind-blown seeds can quickly germinate, allowing the plant to form large colonies. Its hard seed coating allows the seed to overwinter and begin to germinate as the temperatures become favorable. Domestic livestock and horses can develop abdominal obstructions by consuming this plant. It is classified as an invasive species by the NC Invasive Plant Council.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Trifolium
- Species:
- arvense
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Biennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe and western Asia
- Distribution:
- Waste places and roadsides
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Clouded Sulfur (Colias philodice) larvae which appear from May to October in the North and from March to November in the South. There are 3 flights in the North and 4 to 5 flights in the South. Adult Clouded Sulfur butterflies feed on flower nectar from many different plants. Some animals also use this plant as a food source, such as rabbits, groundhogs, deer, horses, cattle and sheep.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Easy to Grow
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Weed
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
-
-
Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is in the form of a pod that remains inside the calyx. Each pod contains 1 seed.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Dense, fuzzy, round to cylindrical, grayish pink flower heads arise from the leaf axils and at the tips of the branching stems. The flowers are hidden by the pink/gray calyx.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- 1/2 to 1-inch long and 1/3 inch wide sessile leaflets in sets of three; soft, silky feel. Margins finely serrated or entire. They have a blunt or rounded tip and taper at the base. The middle is wider than the tip and base.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Erect to ascending hairy terete stems that are often multi-branched. Although the stem is typically green it can also have a reddish tint.
-
-
Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Problems:
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
