White Clover is a
native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in grassland, meadows and waste ground, to a mature height of up to 30cm.
White clover is a short, downy ground-cover plant, commonly found growing amongst grasses or in pastures. Owing to its high protein content (of about 25%) it is often grown as a nutritious fodder for grazing animals. Its leaves are divided into three leaflets, each with a lighter-shaded, v-shaped marking. The tiny pea-like flowers of White Clover are arranged into compound flowerheads. The flower petals are usually white or creamy-white, sometimes shaded pink towards the centre of the flowerhead. Each flower is enclosed in a prominent calyx, which may also give the centre of the flowerhead a greenish or reddish appearance. The flowers of White clover are shorter than those of Red Clover, giving easier access for a range of bee pollinators.
Botanic classification and naming: White Clover is a member of the Pea (Fabaceae) family. The genus name
'Trifolium' identifies the plant as a Clover and its species name 'repens' means 'creeping plant'.
Concerns: The mould Rhizoctonia leguminicola, which sometimes infects White Clover, produces a poison which can cause a condition known as 'Clover Slobbers' in horses grazing on infected plants. White Clover can be difficult to control as it spreads easily by creeping and rooting stems at ground level (stolons).
Benefits: Provides a rich source of nectar and pollen, which attracts Honey Bees and a wide range of other bee species. After flowering, it attracts seed-eating birds. The plant is also a food source for caterpillars of moths and butterflies, including the Common Blue. White Clover has root nodules that host nitrogen-fixing bacteria. These make atmospheric nitrogen available to feed the plant and enrich the soil.
Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.
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