Plants → Magnoliophyta → Magnoliopsida → Fabales → Fabaceae Lindl. → Trifolium L. → Trifolium repens L.
Prostrate rhizomatous, annual or perennial, herb, to 0.15 m high, to 1 m wide. Fl. white, Jul to Nov. Grey sand, black sandy clay, peaty sand. Wetlands, road verges, track edges, pastures & gardens.
Beard’s Provinces: South-West Province.
IBRA Regions: Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain, Warren.
IBRA Subregions: Northern Jarrah Forest, Perth, Southern Jarrah Forest, Warren.
Local Government Areas (LGAs): Albany, Augusta Margaret River, Busselton, Manjimup, Stirling, Victoria Plains.
Alternative Names. Dutch Clover, Ladino Clover.
General Biology. Growth form. Herb. Life form. Perennial. Reproduction. Primarily seed, also stem fragments, stolons. Dispersal. Wind, water, birds, animals (ingestion), ants. Toxicity. Can be poisonous to mammals. Seedbank persistence. 25+ years.
Notes. Has low germination rates in unsuitable environmental conditions. Physical disturbance and open sites promote seed germination. Annual in warm climates or under moisture stress. Most seed becomes viable after several weeks and can be dispersed long distances by human activities and digestion by animals. The proportion of hard or soft seed depends on conditions during ripening. Has high seed output and forms persistent soil seedbanks. Pollinated by honey bees. Capable of fixing nitrogen.
Additional information. Origin. Northern Africa, Europe, Asia. History of use/introduction. Animal forage, soil improver,. Similar exotic species. Trifolium species.
Suggested method of management and control. Hand remove small/isolated infestations. Otherwise spot spray with 1% glyphosate before flowering or Lontrel® 3 ml/10 L (150 ml/ha) up to 6 leaf stage. Read the manufacturers' labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. For further information consult the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to determine the status of permits for your situation or state.
Calendar Type | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Germination | Y | Y | Y | ||||||||||
Active Growth | O | O | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | O | ||||
Flowering | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | ||||||
Fruiting | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | ||||||
Manual Removal | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
Herbicide Treatment | Y | Y | Y |
Legend: Y = Yes, regularly, O = Occasionally, U = Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.
FloraBase is produced by the staff of the Western Australian Herbarium, Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Publication or other use of content on this site is unauthorised unless that use conforms with the copyright statement.
Western Australian Herbarium (1998–). FloraBase—the Western Australian Flora. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/