Trifolium Repens: Know all about this plant

What is a Trifolium Repens plant? 

Trifolium Repens is an herbaceous plant that can live for two years. This plant originates from the bean family Fabaceae. It is native to Europe and Central Asia and is the most cultivated type of clover. It was introduced worldwide as a forage crop and is now common in North America, Australia, and New Zealand grassy areas. It is often termed “white clover”. Furthermore, it is sometimes named “Dutch clover” for intermediate varieties and “Ladino clover” for large varieties. The plant reaches a height of 0.25 to 0.50 feet and spreads 1.00 to 1.50 feet in width. The plant blooms from May to June and is usually white.

Distribution of Trifolium Repens

Trifolium Repens plant is native to Europe and Central Asia. Globally, it forages as a crop. The plant grows in temperate and sub-tropical regions and is common to weeds, lawns, gardens, roadsides, open woodlands, and alpine vegetation.

This clover plant has widely been used as a model organism for global research in ecology and urban evolution. The plant has been extensively studied for the production of cyanide. Cyanide is useful for clover plants as a deterrent to herbivores. In analysing urban-rural differences, it has been discovered that cyanide production increased with increasing distance from city centres. 

Varieties and subspecies of Trifolium Repens

The following are types of the Trifolium Repens plants:

• Trifolium repens subsp. macrorrhizum 
• Trifolium repens var. nevadense 
• Trifolium repens var. ochranthum 
• Trifolium repens var. orbelicum 
•  Trifolium repens var. orphanides
• Trifolium repens subsp. prostratum 

Cultivation of Trifolium Repens

Trifolium Repens plant is the most crucial forage plant in temperate zones. This plant is commonly grown in a mixture of forage grasses. Such a mixture optimises livestock production and reduces bloat risk to livestock associated with excessive plants. This mixture also helps avoid issues arising from cyanogenic glycoside intake of pure clover varieties. The plant grows well as a companion plant among lawns, grain plants, vegetable rows, and pasture grasses. It is often added to lawn seed mixes, providing a green cover to poor soil conditions. These plants can also tolerate mowing and grazing and grow on different soil types and pHs. Trifolium Repens is also considered organic pasture management due to its ability to fix nitrogen and compete with weeds. 

Uses of Trifolium Repens

There are multiple uses of this plant. Some of these are listed below:

It is of a high nutritional value. The plant can withstand grazing. The plant fixes nitrogen, improves soil, and provides pollen and nectars for pollinators. The plant produces high-quality pastures for grazing. It is an excellent feed for livestock and poultry.

The plant’s leaves and flowers are valuable survival food. The plant is high in protein, widespread, and plentiful. It is not easily digestible raw but can be consumed after five to ten minutes of boiling. Dried versions of the plant can be smoked as an alternative to tobacco.

In India, this plant is considered a folk medicine for treatments against worms.

Care guide of Trifolium Repens

The Trifolium Repens plant does not need much care. Placing it in slightly acidic soil with good drainage and not letting the soil dry out completely helps with plant growth.

The plant performs well in partial sun, however, it can be planted next to plants that get full sunlight.

The most important requirement for soil is that it has good drainage.

The plant performs best in evenly wet soil. It can tolerate dry ground, but this will hinder the plant from spreading out.

As the plant itself is a nitrogen-fixer, there is no use for fertilizer. The plant helps provide nitrogen for other plants to feed from and hinders other weeds from sprouting.

Problems faced in Planting  

The plant is aggressive in growth and considered by many a weed, especially for those who wish to eradicate their lawns. The plant is prone to attack by pests and diseases. Clover root weevil is identified as the most dangerous pest. This pest feeds on leaves and nitrogen-fixing nodules. This reduces the nitrogen-fixing capabilities and the general vigour of the plant.

 The plant may also be inflicted with diseases from viruses and bacteria. An example is the Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), which leads to yellow streaks parallel to leaf veins, distorting leaves and stunted plant growth. To tackle this, plant varieties resistant to this should be used. Root rot infection may occur where some roots are in tan to red colouration and the seedlings are infected. Maintaining soil and optimum soil pH can help protect the plant from disease.

Propagation

The Trifolium Repens plant is the most widely grown clover in the world. It performs well in many types of soil but best in well-draining clay or loam. The plant optimally grows at pH 5.5 and 7.0. The plant tolerates shade, mowing, and field traffic well and thus it is suited to be used as a cover crop. Clover is planted by drilling or broadcasting. The plant is often planted within pastures or with grass seed to establish a mixed pasture.

Conclusion

Generally, people are unaware of the plant until it sprouts white flowers that attract flowers in late spring. The striking part of this plant is its ability to spread and form mats. Some consider the plant a weed. In the US it is known as an invasive plant as it grows very aggressively. As it is a nitrogen-fixing plant, it is used in crop rotation and also is a good forage plant for livestock.

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