Trifolium hybridum L. var. elegans (Savi) Boiss.
Trifolium hybridum L. ssp. elegans (Savi) Asch. & Graebn.
Trifolium hybridum L. var. pratense Rabenh.
Trifolium hybridum L.
Alsike clover
Alsike clover is a European native, introduced to North America. Although its scientific name suggests otherwise, it is not a hybrid.
Plants: 1–2′ (30–60 cm) tall, typically somewhat smaller than red clover and larger than white clover. It has multiple hairless, fairly flexible stems.
Leaves: Leaves are trifoliate, and alternate. Each leaflet is ⅜–¾″ (1–2 cm) long, hairless, and attached directly to the petiole (stem) that supports the leaf cluster. The leaves are oval-shaped, with smooth-appearing edges that have tiny teeth on them if you look closely. There are no chevron shapes on the leaves as with red clover.
Flowers: A single inflorescence tops a stalk 1–3″ (2.5–7.6 cm) long. The flowerhead is globose, densely flowered, ½–¾″ (1.3–1.9 cm) around, and may be pink on the bottom, grading to white on the top; or pink throughout. The shade of pink is lighter than with red clover.
Fruits: Dry capsules 1/16–⅛″ (3–4 mm) long.
Habitats: Moist meadows near woodlands, pastures, abandoned fields, and roadsides.
Edibility: Toxic to horses, causing liver damage and photosensitivity.
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Similar species. |
Online References:
Trifolium elegans Savi
Trifolium hybridum L. var. elegans (Savi) Boiss.
Trifolium hybridum L. ssp. elegans (Savi) Asch. & Graebn.
Trifolium hybridum L. var. pratense Rabenh.
Trifolium hybridum L. var. elegans (Savi) Boiss.
Trifolium hybridum L. ssp. elegans (Savi) Asch. & Graebn.
Trifolium hybridum L. var. pratense Rabenh.
8/15/2021 · Bass Falls Preserve, Alna, Maine · ≈ 4 × 3½″ (10 × 9.4 cm) 
(Also some white clover.) · 5/24/2010 · Eastern Promenade, Portland, Maine · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm) 
(Also some White Clover (T. repens)) · 5/24/2010 · Eastern Promenade, Portland, Maine · ≈ 1½ × 1′ (45 × 30 cm) 
ID is uncertain 
8/15/2021 · Bass Falls Preserve, Alna, Maine · ≈ 3 × 3″ (7.5 × 7.9 cm) 
5/24/2010 · Eastern Promenade, Portland, Maine · ≈ 14 × 9″ (35 × 23 cm) 
6/22/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Massachusetts · ≈ 3½ × 3½″ (9.3 × 9.8 cm) 
6/27/2012 · Townsend Wildlife Management Area, Townsend, Massachusetts · ≈ 2½ × 2½″ (7.2 × 6.6 cm) 
(Also some White Clover (T. repens)) · 5/24/2010 · Eastern Promenade, Portland, Maine · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm) ID is uncertain 
6/22/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Massachusetts · ≈ 2 × 2½″ (5.4 × 6.2 cm) 
6/13/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Groton, Massachusetts 
5/24/2010 · Eastern Promenade, Portland, Maine · ≈ 1½ × 1½′ (53 × 46 cm) ID is uncertain 
6/1/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 4 × 3″ (11 × 8.4 cm) ID is uncertain 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta | Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients |
| Division | Magnoliophyta | Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms |
| Class | Magnoliopsida | Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves |
| Subclass | Rosidae | Roses, legumes, proteas, dogwoods, hydrangeas, mistletoes, euphorbias, grapes, many more |
| Order | Fabales | Legumes (pea and bean families) |
| Family | Fabaceae | Legume family (peas and beans) |
| Genus | Trifolium | “Three-leaved,” for the 3-leaf clusters |
| Species | hybridum | “Mixed, hybridized” |
Trifolium hybridum description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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