Medicks, Melilots and Clovers

Black Medick White Melilot Alsike Clover Japanese Clover

What are they?

Most of these low to medium height members of the pea family are native to Europe and were originally introduced to North America either as fodder crops or accidentally as seed contaminants. Clovers were much used as nitrogen-fixers in grass mixes and are common constituents of lawn seed mixes.

Where are they found?

Most species are typically found in any grassy habitat where the grass is kept relatively short, particularly lawns and roadsides. Melilots grow taller and more typically appear in disturbed or waste areas where the vegetation is left uncut, such as along tracksides.

Identification

Medicks and clovers can be identified by a combination of leaf and flower details. Melilots are best identified by their seed pods, though flower color is also useful.



Lucerne      Medicago sativa

(Alfalfa) Introduced from Europe. Occasional plants may be found on grassy roadsides and meadows, usually as a relic of cultivation as this species was previously grown as a fooder crop. Flowers June to October. A very variable plant, with flowers that may be any shade of purple, lilac or mauve - or even white.
Lucerne Lucerne Lucerne Lucerne
Habit
Flowers
Flowers
Leaf

Black Medick      Medicago lupulina

A very common plant in most types of urban and suburban habitats such as gardens, parks, roadsides and disused land. The black seed heads are distinctive. Flowers April to September.
Black Medick Black Medick Black Medick Black Medick
Habit
Flowers
Close-up of flowers
Seed pods

Ribbed Melilot      Melilotus officinalis

(Yellow Sweetclover) Common in waste places, disturbed ground and roadsides. Flowers May to September.
Ribbed Melilot Ribbed Melilot Ribbed Melilot Ribbed Melilot
Habit
Flower
Leaf
Ribbed seed pods

White Melilot      Melilotus albus

(White Sweetclover) Common in waste places and disturbed ground, often forming quite large colonies of plants which may grow to six feet high or more. Much liked by bees and butterflies, as well as other nectar-feeding insects. Flowers June to September.
White Melilot White Melilot White Melilot White Melilot
Long flower spikes
Flowers
Basal leaves
Upper stem leaves

Hop Trefoil      Trifolium campestre

(Smaller Hop Trefoil) Common in waste places, disturbed ground and grassy locations. Flowers May to September. Similar to Lesser Trefoil, but generally a little larger and best told by the developing fruiting head which swells to form a structure resembling a head of hops (hence the English name).
Hop Trefoil Hop Trefoil Hop Trefoil Hop Trefoil
Habit
Flowers
Central leaflet stalked
Fruiting head

Large Trefoil      Trifolium aureum

(Large Hop Trefoil) Occurred as an introduced species of cultivated and waste places in the past but there are no recent records. Flowers May to September. Best told from Hop trefoil by the larger flower heads and by the central leaflet which has no stalk.
Large Trefoil Large Trefoil Large Trefoil Large Trefoil
Flowers
Leaf
Central leaflet stalkless
Fruiting head

Lesser Trefoil      Trifolium dubium

(Least Hop Trefoil, Suckling Clover) Very common and widespread in all kinds of grassy and disturbed places. A common constituent of lawn and arable seed mixes. Flowers April to September.
Lesser Trefoil Lesser Trefoil Lesser Trefoil Lesser Trefoil
Habit
Flowering stems
Flowers
Fruiting head

Crimson Clover      Trifolium incarnatum

Formerly grown as a fodder crop, this species is now much rarer than it once was in the region and perhaps only survives as an occasional roadside relict. Can still be found around the town of Eldora. Flowers May to June.
Crimson Clover Crimson Clover Crimson Clover Crimson Clover
Habit
Flower heads
Flower head
Leaf

Hare's-foot Clover      Trifolium arvense

(Rabbitfoot Clover) An annual species which typically grows where the soil has been disturbed or laid bare. Prefers dry, sandy soil. The furry heads that give the species its name are distinctive. Flowers May to September.
Hare's-foot Clover Hare's-foot Clover Hare's-foot Clover Hare's-foot Clover
Habit
Flower head
Leaf
Fruiting head

Red Clover      Trifolium pratense

Common and widespread in all kinds of grassy places, though less common than White Clover. Flowers May to September. White-flowered forms have larger, more oval-shaped heads than the globular heads of White Clover. Leaves usually (though not always) have pale markings on them.
Red Clover Red Clover Red Clover Red Clover
Flower head
Flowers may
be white
Leaf
Stipule

Strawberry Clover      Trifolium fragiferum

Introduced from Europe. Typically a plant of open, grassy areas on wet soil in coastal areas but, as an introduction, plants may occur elsewhere in grassy or disturbed areas. Not uncommon in roadside lawns in Sea Isle City. Flowers May to September. Flowers plae pink with darker veins. Most easily told by the seedheads that resemble dry strawberries.
Strawberry Clover Strawberry Clover Strawberry Clover Strawberry Clover
Habit
Flower head
leaf
Fruiting head

Alsike Clover      Trifolium hybridum

Scarce in grassy places, but perhaps overlooked as it is superficially similar to White Clover. Flowerheads are pink-based, while leaves have no pale blotch on them and the leaflets are narrower. Flowers May to September.
Alsike Clover Alsike Clover Alsike Clover Alsike Clover
Habit
Flower head
leaf & flower
Stipule

White Clover      Trifolium hybridum

Widespread and abundant in all kinds of grassy places. Flowers May to September.
white Clover white Clover white Clover white Clover
Habit
Flower head
leaf with white marks
Seed head

Japanese Clover      Kummerowia striata

Introduced from Eastern Asia and now common to abundant in lawns, gardens and roadsides, even gravel paths. Flowers May to September.
Japanese Clover Japanese Clover Japanese Clover Japanese Clover
Habit
Flowers
leaves with pale veins
Stiff hairs
point downwards