Trifolium fragiferum

Strawberry clover is named after its fruiting body that closely resembles a strawberry. Until it flowers, it can be difficult for the inexperienced eye to distinguish this plant from the much more common white clover. It is hardier and more tolerant of harsh environmental conditions than white clover. The plant was first discovered and described in the Netherlands in the 16th century. In the meantime, it is very common in the delta region and Wadden Islands, although it grows well along the entire Dutch coast. It is found along river banks more inland, but there it is declining in number. Strawberry clover is native to Europe, but is also cultivated as green manure and for hay, silage and bees.

Mediterranean region (Alexandria).

Mediterranean region, Europe, west Asia, Ethiopia.

Trifolium fragiferum L.:
Argentina (South America)
Canada (North America)
Uruguay (South America)
United States (North America)
China (Asia)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Canada

Origin: Exotic

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

United States

Origin: Exotic

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

Distribution: Pakistan; Kashmir; Afghanistan; Iran; Syria; Iraq; Turkey; Ethiopia; N. Africa; Arabia; Egypt; Caucasus; Europe.

Perennial, stem procumbent, often rooting at nodes. Leaflets 5-30 mm long, ovate, elliptical to obcordate. Stipules lanceolate, membranous. Inflorescence a compact head, 10-14 mm broad, hemispherical in flower, globose, ellipsoid, with an involucre, peduncle up to 20 cm, exceeding the leaf. Bract 3-4 mm. Calyx inflated in fruit, pubescent. Corolla white to pinkish. Vexillum 6-7 mm long. Fruit included in calyx, 1-2-seeded.

Perennial, Herbs, Plant s with rhizomes or suckers, Nodules present, Plants stoloniferous, Stems erect or ascending, Stems or branches arching, spreading or decumbent, Stems less than 1 m tall, Stems solid, Stems or young twigs glabrous or sparsely glabrate, Leaves alternate, Leaves petiolate, Stipules conspicuous, Stipules green, triangulate to lanceolate or foliaceous, Stipules persistent, Stipules clasping stem at the base, Stipules adnate to petiole, Leaves compound, Leaves palmately 2-3 foliate, Leaflets dentate or denticulate, Leaflets 3, Leaves glabrous or nearly so, Inflorescences racemes, Inflorescences globose heads, capitate or subcapitate, Inflorescence axillary, Bracts conspicuously present, Bracteoles present, Flowers zygomorphic, Calyx 5-lobed, Calyx gibbous, inflated, or spurred, Calyx glabrous, Calyx lobes exceeding or about equal to corolla, Petals separate, Corolla papilionaceous, Petals clawed, Petals pinkish to rose, Banner petal narrow or oblanceolate, Wing petals narrow, ob lanceolate to oblong, Wing petals auriculate, Wing tips obtuse or rounded, Keel tips obtuse or rounded, not beaked, Stamens 9-10, Stamens diadelphous, 9 united, 1 free, Filaments glabrous, Style terete, Fruit a legume, Fruit unilocular, Fruit indehiscent, Fruit oblong or ellipsoidal, Fruit orbicular to subglobose, Fruit or valves persistent on stem, Fruit enclosed in calyx, Fruit glabrous or glabrate, Fruit 1-seeded, Fruit 2-seeded, Seeds cordiform, mit-shaped, notched at one end, Seed surface smooth, Seeds olive, brown, or black.

Marshy and moist ground.

Foodplant / gall
larva of Apion curtisi causes gall of rootstock of Trifolium fragiferum
Remarks: Other: uncertain

Plant / associate
adult of Bruchidius varius is associated with Trifolium fragiferum
Remarks: season: (late 7-early 10, late 4)5-6

Foodplant / parasite
stromatic Polythrinium dematiaceous anamorph of Cymadothea trifolii parasitises live leaf of Trifolium fragiferum
Remarks: season: 7-10

Foodplant / spot causer
erumpent apothecium of Pseudopeziza trifolii causes spots on live leaf of Trifolium fragiferum
Remarks: season: 4-1

Foodplant / gall
often confluent telium of Uromyces trifolii causes gall of live petiole of Trifolium fragiferum

Fl.Per.: July-September.

Perennial.

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 8
Specimens with Barcodes: 8
Species With Barcodes: 1

Rounded Global Status Rank: GNR - Not Yet Ranked

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: NNA - Not Applicable

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: NNA - Not Applicable