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Burrowing Clover

Trifolium subterraneum

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Fabaceae (Pea)
Also in this family:
Alpine Milk-vetch, Alsike Clover, Birdsfoot, Birdsfoot Clover, Bird's-foot Trefoil, Bithynian Vetch, Bitter Vetch, Black Broom, Black Medick, Bladder Senna, Broad Bean, Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea, Bur Medick, Bush Vetch, Clustered Clover, Common Broom, Common Gorse, Common Laburnum, Common Restharrow, Common Vetch, Crimson Clover, Crown Vetch, Dragon's Teeth, Dwarf Gorse, Dyer's Greenweed, False Acacia, Fine-leaved Vetch, Fodder Vetch, Garden Lupin, Garden Pea, Goat's Rue, Grass Vetchling, Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil, Hairy Bird's-foot Trefoil, Hairy Greenweed, Hairy Tare, Hairy Vetchling, Hairy-fruited Broom, Haresfoot Clover, Hop Trefoil, Horseshoe Vetch, Hungarian Vetch, Kidney Vetch, Knotted Clover, Large Trefoil, Lesser Trefoil, Lucerne, Marsh Pea, Meadow Vetchling, Narrow-leaved Bird's-foot Trefoil, Narrow-leaved Everlasting Pea, Narrow-leaved Vetch, Nootka Lupin, Norfolk Everlasting Pea, Orange Birdsfoot, Petty Whin, Purple Milk-vetch, Purple Oxytropis, Red Clover, Reversed Clover, Ribbed Melilot, Rough Clover, Russell Lupin, Sainfoin, Scorpion Senna, Scottish Laburnum, Sea Clover, Sea Pea, Sickle Medick, Slender Bird's-foot Trefoil, Slender Tare, Slender Trefoil, Small Melilot, Small Restharrow, Smooth Tare, Spanish Broom, Spanish Gorse, Spiny Restharrow, Spotted Medick, Spring Vetch, Strawberry Clover, Suffocated Clover, Sulphur Clover, Tall Melilot, Toothed Medick, Tree Lupin, Tuberous Pea, Tufted Vetch, Twin-headed Clover, Two-flowered Everlasting Pea, Upright Clover, Upright Vetch, Western Clover, Western Gorse, White Broom, White Clover, White Lupin, White Melilot, Wild Liquorice, Wood Vetch, Yellow Oxytropis, Yellow Vetch, Yellow Vetchling, Zigzag Clover
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Annual
Maximum Size:
20 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Beaches, fields, grassland, heathland, sea cliffs, seaside.

Flower:
֍
White, 5 petals
 
Creamy white flowers, up to 14mm across. Flowers appear together in open clusters of 2 to 5. Insect-pollinated.
Fruit:
The fruiting heads are unusual in that they have the tendency of burrowing themselves into the ground.
Leaves:
Variable-sized leaves which are composed of 3 broad leaflets. Burrowing Clover is an annual flower.
Other Names:
Sub Clover, Subterranean Clover, Tunnel Clover.
Frequency (UK):
Unusual  

Other Information

Summary

Trifolium subterraneum, also known as subterranean clover or tunnel clover, is a perennial legume native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It is often used as a forage crop for livestock, as well as a cover crop to improve soil fertility and structure. The plant has small, pink or white flowers and grows best in cool, moist climates. It is adapted to a variety of soil types and can tolerate heavy grazing. Like other clovers, Trifolium subterraneum is able to fix nitrogen in the soil, making it a valuable addition to crop rotations.

Blog

Trifolium subterraneum, also known as Burrowing Clover, is a hardy and versatile plant that is native to Europe, North Africa and western Asia. This low-growing legume is known for its ability to grow in a variety of soil types, including those that are poor and dry. In addition to its adaptability, burrowing clover is also prized for its attractive flowers and its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil. This makes it an excellent choice for gardeners who want to improve the fertility of their soil while also adding beauty to their gardens.

The flowers of burrowing clover are small and pink, appearing in clusters on stems that grow up to 10 inches tall. The foliage is bright green, making it an attractive ground cover for shady areas. In addition, the leaves are edible and can be used as a salad green or cooked as a vegetable.

Burrowing clover is a great choice for gardeners who are looking for a low-maintenance plant that is easy to grow. This plant is drought-tolerant, and it can be grown in full sun or partial shade. It is also relatively pest-resistant, making it an ideal choice for gardeners who are looking for a low-maintenance plant.

One of the biggest benefits of burrowing clover is its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil. This means that it can help to improve soil fertility, making it an ideal choice for gardeners who are looking to create a more sustainable and self-sufficient garden. Additionally, the nitrogen-rich soil created by burrowing clover can help to promote the growth of other plants in the garden.

In addition to its use in the garden, burrowing clover can also be used in agriculture. This plant is a great choice for farmers who are looking to improve soil fertility and to reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. Additionally, burrowing clover can be used as a cover crop to prevent soil erosion and to suppress weeds.

Burrowing clover is a versatile and adaptable plant that is well suited to a variety of gardening and agricultural applications. Its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, its low-maintenance requirements, and its attractive flowers make it an excellent choice for gardeners and farmers alike. So, if you're looking for a plant that is easy to grow and that can help to improve the health of your soil, consider adding burrowing clover to your garden or farm.

If you're looking for a plant that can help to attract beneficial insects to your garden, then burrowing clover is a great choice. The flowers of this plant are a great source of nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, which can help to improve the health of your garden.

Another benefit of burrowing clover is its ability to suppress weeds. The dense foliage of this plant can help to prevent weeds from taking root, making it an ideal choice for gardeners who want to reduce the amount of time they spend weeding.

When it comes to planting burrowing clover, it is best to sow the seeds in the spring or fall. The seeds can be sown directly in the garden, or they can be started indoors in pots and then transplanted when they are large enough. Once established, burrowing clover is a low-maintenance plant that requires little care.

In addition to its many benefits, burrowing clover is also a beautiful plant that can add a touch of color to your garden. The pink flowers of this plant can brighten up any garden, and its bright green foliage can help to create a lush and verdant environment.

So, if you're looking for a versatile and adaptable plant that can help to improve the health of your soil, attract beneficial insects to your garden, and add a touch of color to your landscape, then burrowing clover is the plant for you. With its many benefits, it is no wonder that this plant is becoming increasingly popular among gardeners and farmers alike.

In addition to its many benefits for the garden and for the soil, burrowing clover is also a great choice for foragers. The leaves of this plant are edible, and they can be used in a variety of dishes. The leaves have a mild, nutty flavor, and they can be used in salads, soups, and stews.

Another way to utilize burrowing clover in your diet is by using the seeds. The seeds are high in protein and are a great source of nutrients. They can be sprouted, roasted, or ground into flour, and they can be used in a variety of dishes.

Aside from its benefits for the garden and for the kitchen, burrowing clover is also an important plant for wildlife. The flowers of this plant are a great source of nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, and the plant itself provides habitat for a variety of insects and small mammals.

In addition, burrowing clover can also be used for erosion control. Its dense foliage can help to prevent soil erosion, making it a great choice for gardeners who live in areas with steep slopes or areas that are prone to erosion.

In conclusion, burrowing clover is a versatile and valuable plant that has many benefits for the garden, for the kitchen, and for the environment. Whether you're a gardener, a farmer, a forager, or simply someone who is interested in creating a more sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyle, burrowing clover is a great choice. So, consider adding this amazing plant to your garden or farm today!


Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

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