| Crimson clover | |
|---|---|
| |
| Clover farm in St. Paul, Oregon, USA | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Trifolium |
| Species: | T. incarnatum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Trifolium incarnatum | |
Trifolium incarnatum, known as crimson clover[2] or Italian clover, is a species of herbaceous flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to most of Europe. It has been introduced to other areas, including the United States and Japan.
This upright annual herb grows to 20–50 cm (8-20") tall, unbranched or branched only at the base. The leaves are trifoliate with a long petiole, each leaflet hairy, 8–16 mm across, with a truncated or bilobed apex. The flowers are produced throughout the spring and summer, rich red or crimson, congested on an elongated spike inflorescence 3–5 cm tall and 1.5 cm broad; the individual flowers are up to 10–13 mm long and have five petals. The banner of each flower does not sit upright, but folds forward.
- ^ Osborne, J. (2011). "Trifolium incarnatum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T176390A7231548. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T176390A7231548.en. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Trifolium incarnatum". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 15 December 2015.