Trifolium incarnatum - Crimson Clover

Family:	Leguminosae
Habit:	Annual
Height:	0.5
Synonyms:
Range:	Western and southern Europe, including Britain, to the Balkans and the Mediterranean.

Trifolium incarnatum (Crimson Clover) is a Annual which grows to a height of 0.5m . It has a moderate growth rate. It has a hardness rating of 0and is vunerable to frost.
Crimson Clover will flower in November to March. the seeds ripen from January to April
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, self

Soil Information

Crimson Clover will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Crimson Clover prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Crimson Clover should not be planted in shady areas.

Grassy places near the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall[17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds
• Suits a meadow

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in a moist, well-drained circum-neutral soil in full sun[200]. Succeeds in poor soils. The ssp. molinerli is the form of this species that is native to Britain, whilst ssp. incarnatum is naturalized in S. Britain and is the form grown as a green manure crop[17]. It grows well in an apple orchard, the trees will produce tastier fruit that stores better[201]. It should not be grown with camellias or gooseberries because it harbours a mite that can cause fruit drop in the gooseberries and premature budding in the camellias[201]. Fairly resistant to 'clover rot'[87]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. Buttercups growing nearby depress the growth of the nitrogen bacteria by means of a root exudate[201]. When removing plant remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant, leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
The seeds can be sprouted and eaten in salads[183]. They can also be dried and ground into a nutritious flour[183]. Dried flower heads are a tea substitute[183].

• Seed - includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
• Tea - the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in spring to early summer in situ. The seed can also be sown in early autumn as a winter green manure.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

Used as a green manure. It is relatively fast growing, makes an excellent weed suppressing cover and fixes nitrogen[1, 46, 61, 87]. It is also used with grass seed mixes in soil reclamation projects[200].

• Green manure - Fast-growing plants that can be used to increase the fertility of the soil.
• Soil reclamation - Plants that can be grown in such circumstances an the spoil tips of mines in order to restore fertility.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

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