A small clover with rounded white flower heads and three-leaflet leaves. Critical for bumble bees and other pollinators. Fixes nitrogen.

Also called: White Clover, Dutch Clover

Native status: Non-native (Europe); naturalized

§ Quick facts

SizeHeight 10–30 cm
LifespanPerennial
OrderFabales
FamilyFabaceae

§ Encyclopedia

Trifolium repens, the white clover, is a herbaceous perennial plant in the bean family, Fabaceae.

Source: Wikipedia — Trifolium repens Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Low-growing trifoliate-leaved plant; round white flower heads; commonly in lawns.

Similar species. Red Clover (red flowers). Other Trifolium species.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. N/A — photosynthesis

Behavior. Native to Europe; widely naturalized as lawn/pasture plant in North America. Major nectar source for bumble bees.

§ Range

Worldwide; widely naturalized in North America

§ Habitat

Lawns, meadows, fields

§ Threats

Lawn herbicide use, replacement with monoculture grass.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the white clover is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Allow white clover in lawns. Skip herbicides. Support pollinator-friendly landscaping.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • USDA Plants Database