This article is missing information about infraspecific classification: Kew lists three subspecies but also notes that classification is "complex". Should at least explain the sativum variety mentioned in "Uses". Please expand the article to include this information. Further details may exist on the talk page.(February 2022)
Description
[edit]White-flowered formRed clover is a good pollen and nectar source for bumblebees
Red clover is a herbaceous, short-lived perennial plant, which is generally variable in size, growing to 20–80 cm (8–31 in) tall. It has a deep taproot which makes it tolerant to drought and gives it a good soil structuring effect.[5] The leaves are alternate, trifoliate (with three leaflets), each leaflet 15–30 mm (0.6–1.2 in) long and 8–15 mm (0.3–0.6 in) broad, green with a characteristic pale crescent in the outer half of the leaf; the petiole is 1–4 cm (0.4–1.6 in) long, with two basal stipules that are abruptly narrowed to a bristle-like point. The flowers are dark pink with a paler base, 12–15 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long, produced in a dense inflorescence, and are mostly visited by bumblebees.[6]
The red clover is native to Europe, Western Asia, and northwest Africa, but it has been naturalized in other continents, like North and South America. Specifically, the red clover was brought to Argentina and Chile over 100 years ago, although it is not clear how exactly it was introduced.[7] The red clover has become increasingly important as a source of economic stability in Chile, which has made the need for pollinators even more important.[8] One important pollinator, which was also brought from Europe, is Bombus ruderatus, or the large garden bumblebee. This bumblebee has been one of the important pollinators of red clover in South America and other countries such as New Zealand.[9] In India the highest producer of Red Clover seed is the Agriculture Department of Kashmir's Fodder Seed Production Station Aru, in south Kashmir's Anantnag district of Jammu & Kashmir.[10] Two red clover accessions were deposited in National Gene Bank of India from Fodder Seed Production Station Aru in 2019 vide IC-635999 and IC-636000 by ICAR.[11]
It is widely grown as a fodder crop, valued for its nitrogen fixation, which increases soil fertility. For these reasons, it is used as a green manure crop. Several cultivar groups have been selected for agricultural use, mostly derived from T. pratense var. sativum. It has become naturalised in many temperate areas, including the Americas and Australasia as an escape from cultivation.
Due to its beauty, it is used as an ornamental plant. Red clover's flowers and leaves are edible, and can be added as garnishes to any dish.[12] They can be ground into a flour.
Trifolium pratense's perennial nature affords sustained, reliable growth. Furthermore, the species' ability to fix nitrogen promotes protein rich growth, enables it to support a wide range of wildlife including deer, turkeys, and rabbits. These characteristics make Trifolium pratense useful for hunters interested in attracting game.[citation needed] The pink flowers afford high visibility levels and facilitate such attraction and may be used by wildlife remediation teams and conservationists seeking to build wildlife bridges to connect fragmented habitats.[13]
Inalternative medicine, red clover is promoted as a treatment for a variety of human maladies, including symptoms of menopause, coughs, disorders of the lymphatic system and a variety of cancers. There is some evidence it may reduce the frequency of hot flushes in menopausal women.[15] There is no good evidence it is of any benefit in preventing or treating cancer or any other diseases.[16]
Due to its coumarin derivatives, T. pratense should be used with caution in individuals with coagulation disorders or currently undergoing anticoagulation therapy.[17] It is metabolised by CYP3A4 and therefore caution should be used when taking it with other drugs using this metabolic pathway.[18]
Trifolium pratense is the state flowerofVermont.[20] It has also been used as the national flowerofDenmark. In 1936 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced it was the national flower as part of an international exhibition taking place in Argentina. However, the choice did not become popular with the public. In 1987 the daisy, specifically either the marguerite daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens) or oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), replaced it as the nation's floral emblem.[21][22]
^USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Trifolium pratense". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
^Rosso, B. S.; Pagano, E. M. (2005-08-01). "Evaluation of Introduced and Naturalised Populations of Red Clover(Trifolium pratense L.) at Pergamino EEA-INTA, Argentina". Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 52 (5): 507–511. doi:10.1007/s10722-005-0777-z. ISSN0925-9864. S2CID21172324.
^Arretz, P. V.; Macfarlane, R. P. (1986-01-01). "The Introduction of Bombus Ruderatus to Chile for Red Clover Pollination". Bee World. 67 (1): 15–22. doi:10.1080/0005772X.1986.11098855. ISSN0005-772X.
^Morales, Carolina L; Arbetman, Marina P; Cameron, Sydney A; Aizen, Marcelo A (2013-07-15). "Rapid ecological replacement of a native bumble bee by invasive species". Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 11 (10): 529–534. Bibcode:2013FrEE...11..529M. doi:10.1890/120321. ISSN1540-9295. S2CID86469248.
^Ghazanfarpour M, Sadeghi R, Roudsari RL, Khorsand I, Khadivzadeh T, Muoio B (2016). "Red clover for treatment of hot flashes and menopausal symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis". J Obstet Gynaecol. 36 (3): 301–11. doi:10.3109/01443615.2015.1049249. PMID26471215. S2CID1987452.
^"Red Clover". American Cancer Society. November 2008. Archived from the original on 31 July 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
^Öhberg, H.; Bång, U. (2010). "Biological control of clover rot on red clover by Coniothyrium minitans under natural and controlled climatic conditions". Biocontrol Science and Technology. 20 (1): 25–36. Bibcode:2010BioST..20...25O. doi:10.1080/09583150903337805. S2CID85239942.
^"Nationalplanter og -dyr" [Nationalplants and -animals] (in Danish). Naturstyrelsen, Danish Ministry of the Environment. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
