Identifying Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)

Take great care when identifying wild plants and fungi, this blog is not a resource to be taken by itself and further resources will be linked. Consult other sources and double check. While foraging is an extremely rewarding and useful skill, numerous common plants and fungi can make you sick or kill you. Be absolutely sure of what you’re eating and, when gathering, ensure you leave enough not only to ensure the survival and growth of the species but also enough for others to enjoy, from the human and more-than-human communities. Also cultivate an awareness of contamination and pollution – wastewater runoff, spraying, exhaust fumes – as this should affect your decision to harvest.

The Plant

Trifolium pratense is a flowering perennial plant from the Fabaceae family. It is native to parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa but is cultivated and grows wild around the world. The name Trifolium refers to clovers leaves which separate into three leaflets, while pratense comes from the Latin word “pratum” meaning “meadow”.

Description

Red clover is a perennial plant which grows easily and prolifically in New Zealand gardens, riverbanks, meadows, and parks. The plant grows up to 20-80cm tall and the stems grow either upwards or slightly sprawling outwards. Clover has a deep tap root like most leguminous plants and the stems are very thin. at the ends of the stems grows three leaflets which are either quite round or more oval or palmate. The leaflets have a characteristic paler green crescent or “V” shape. Clover produces an inflorescence, or a cluster of many small flowers which forms a round flower head. The flowers are a darker pink at the top and fade into a white or pale pink towards the base. Clover is commonly pollinated by bumblebees and can re-grow through seeds or more commonly by using stolons or “runners” to spread widely.

Ecology

I have come across Trifolium pratense all over the North and South Islands of New Zealand. As clover is a perennial and spreads widely through runners it can be considered an invasive species when it gets into some gardens and parks or disturbed areas of land, even though it is a short lived perennial. Clover is a hardy plant that can tolerate sandy loam to clay soils and full sun to partial shade conditions. They will flower from spring and through early summer.

Nutritional & Medicinal Information

Red clover ointments have been used topically to treat psoriasis, eczema, and other skin conditions.

Clover has been used as a cough remedy for children.

Red clover contains isoflavones which produce estrogen-like effects in the body and so it has been used to treat menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats as well as reduce the likelihood of post menopausal osteoporosis.

Possible Lookalikes

White clover (Trifolium repens) looks nearly identical to red clover but has white flower heads and generally rounder leaflets. White clover is still edible though.

Alsike Clover (Trifolium hybridium) looks similar to red clover but generally has pink flowers at the base of the flower head which then turn to white at the top of the flower head. Alsike clover leaves and flowers are also edible but have been known to be toxic to horses.

Interesting Facts

Red clover is a wonderful nitrogen fixer for the soil and with it’s long tap root it is used as a green manure crop to create healthy soil.

Clover is an amazing source of nectar for bees and other pollinators and is great food for animals.

Their pink flowers are highly visible and attractive to many birds and animals so conservationists are considering using this plant to encourage these creatures to use wildlife bridges.

Storage & Cooking

The leaves and flowers or red clover are best picked and eaten fresh in salads or steeped in teas. You can also dry the flowerheads for future brewing or medicinal uses. You can make pink lemonade by adding water steeped with the pink flowers or jellies. Alternatively just add clover leaves and flowers as a garnish to salads, sandwiches, desserts, or cocktails.

Enjoy my fellow foragers!

Further Reading

iNaturalist

Mount Sinai

Minnesota Wildflowers