Medicks, Melilots and Clovers
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.
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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.
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Ribbed Melilot Melilotus officinalis
(Yellow Sweetclover) Common in waste places, disturbed ground and roadsides. Flowers May to September.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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be white |
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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.
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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.
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White Clover Trifolium hybridum
Widespread and abundant in all kinds of grassy places. Flowers May to September.
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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.
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point downwards |