Trifolium pratense
Red Clover is a common
plant, considered a weed
by many people. It spreads quickly, often crowding out other
plants. Red Clover is easily
identified by its three leaftlets. Each leaflet has a pale
"V" marked on it. The stems of this plant are stiff and
hairy. Red Clover can grow about
20 inches tall. Flowers are purple or pink. Flower heads are
made up of many small flowers. Each flower head is between
1/2 inch and one inch wide. Red Clover grows in
fields,
open forest, forest edges, paths, gardens, and
lawns. This plant can be helpful
to other plants, as well as a problem, because it can put
nitrogen in the soil which other plants can use. Red Clover was
introduced
from Europe.
J. Koivisto
Red Clover is a food
source for many animals, including: White-tailed Deer, Wild
Turkey, Red Fox, Eastern Cottontail, Woodchuck, and
earthworms. The Common Sulphur and
Eastern Tailed Blue are two butterflies whose
caterpillars
eat Red Clover. Some species of
adult
butterflies which visit Red Clover flowers include: Monarch,
Eastern Black Swallowtail, Pearl Crescent, Spicebush
Swallowtail, Cabbage White, Great Spangled Fritillary,
Painted Lady, and Red Admiral. Bees, butterflies, and
other insects help pollinate
Red Clover. PLANTS
