Long-leaved Crimson Clover - Trifolium rubens



Scientific Name: Trifolium rubens.

English Name: Long-leaved Crimson Clover.

French Name: Le Trefle pourpré (='purpled clover'), Trefle rouge(='red clover') or Trefle rougatre (='reddish clover').

5 Key Characters:
  • dense cylindrical reddish flower heads, often in pairs, 5 - 6 cm long and 2 cm wide.
  • leaflets 5 cm by 1 cm, quite tough.
  • a robust, erect plant 25 - 60 cm tall.
  • an impressive, attractive, garden-worthy plant.
  • found on wooded calcareous slopes.
Lookalikes: Narrow-leaved Crimson Clover T. angustifolium, which is smaller and has hairs.

Habitat: Rocky places, woods, calcareous or clay slopes. Fallow agricultural fields, especially on sandy soil.

Flowering Period: May-June-July-August.

Status: Uncommon and local.

Photographed by Loire Valley Nature:

All photos enlarge in a new window if you click on them. Row 1 in the Bois de Breuil, May.


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