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Trifolium hybridum is often confused with:
Trifolium pratense Mature plants in bloom
Trifolium repens Trifolium repens
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Populus deltoides Populus deltoides
Trifolium pratense Mature plants in bloom
Trifolium repens Trifolium repens
Trifolium hybridum has some common insect problems:
Aphids Found on Flowers and Foliage

Trifolium hybridum

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
try-FOH-lee-um HI-bree-DUM
Description

Trifolium hybridum is a flowering plant in the bean family.  Its natural habitat includes moist meadows, pastures, abandoned fields, and roadsides. Cool and moist conditions will provide the best performance.  The common name, Alsike Clover, arises from Carl Linnaeus, who was an avid plant lover, discovering it growing in Alsike, a small town in Sweden.  It was introduced into the USA by early European settlers and has since become naturalized the Americas.  

Its globular flowers are light pink to white. As the flowers age, the pink will darken, beginning with the lower blossoms on the globe.  The change in the coloring results in an attractive two-toned color pattern. 

Although considered weedy, Alsike Clover is highly a highly valuable plant for wildlife.  A wide variety of insects, including bees and butterflies, songbirds, game birds, and mammals feed on the seeds and foliage.  

This plant is often confused with Trifolium repens or Trifolium pratense.  Differences include; the flower head of Trifolium hybridum has a peduncle (a stalk-like part), and is not supported by stipules or leaves; it does not creep along the ground and root at the nodes; and leaflets of Trifolium hybridum are unmottled, where Trifolium repens can have an inverted V near their base.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Does not perform well when regular mowing occurs.  Weedy

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#nitrogen fixation#deer browsing plant#pollinator plant#short lifespan#larval host plant#butterfly friendly#problem for horses#rabbit browsing plant#clouded sulphur butterfly#shade intolerant#weed#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#nitrogen fixation#deer browsing plant#pollinator plant#short lifespan#larval host plant#butterfly friendly#problem for horses#rabbit browsing plant#clouded sulphur butterfly#shade intolerant#weed#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Trifolium
    Species:
    hybridum
    Family:
    Fabaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mediterranean, Iran
    Fire Risk Rating:
    high flammability
    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.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Larval Host
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    Ascending
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruits do not split open when ripe. The short, broad pods are greenish/brown and darken to nearly black with age.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are a whitish/pink. The racemes bear 30 to 50 florets. Each floret is approximately 1/4" long and slender. The rounded flower head ranges from 1/2-3/4" across. Consisting of one standard, two side petals and a keel.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The 1/2" leaves are hairless with finely serrate margins. Unlike other varieties of Clover, the leaves develop from the stems.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Buds:
    Smooth/Hairless
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    The stems, which are round, hollow, and hairless, will occasionally branch.
  • Landscape:
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Dry Soil
    Problems:
    Problem for Horses
    Weedy