| Plant of the Month: April, 2000 |
|
||||
| Ag Home Page |
| Agricultural Staff |
| Consulting Program |
| Plant Image Gallery |
| Internships |
| Recommended External Links |
| Search: |
| or Search by Keyword: |
 Wildlife: April 2000 Other Wildlife Articles |
White Clover
Trifolium repens L.
Characteristics: White
clover is an introduced cool season forb that may act as an annual, biennial,
or perennial, depending on soil type, rainfall and management. It may grow
12 inches tall. Its creeping, spreading stems can root at the nodes where
they contact the soil. Flowers bloom in April or May, and the heads are white
or sometimes tinged with pink. White clover is best adapted to areas receiving
40 inches of rainfall or more and soils that hold moisture and have ample
calcium and phosphorus. Several varieties of white clover have been developed,
the more common ones being Ladino, Louisiana S-1 and Regal.
Area of Importance: Eastern Oklahoma and east Texas.
Attributes: If managed correctly, white clover can be an outstanding
pasture plant in eastern Oklahoma and Texas. It can tolerate moist sites
but prefers bottomland clay and loamy soils. It can be grown on more
productive upland soils, provided moisture, calcium, and phosphorous
are present. It provides good forage for livestock. It is used in food
plot plantings for wildlife, especially deer and turkey. Clover fields
make good brood rearing habitat for turkey.
Problems: As do many clovers, white clover can cause bloat in
livestock. It is fairly site specific, requiring soils with moisture
holding capacity.
I.D. Tip: White clover is usually a perennial and often mat forming.
Flower heads are round with a somewhat flattened top. Flowers are white
or sometimes pink tinged.
Click photos to enlarge:
Hundreds of plants are identified in the Noble Foundation Plant Image Gallery.