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| ## red clover {#red-clover .Title-Header}                             |
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| *Trifolium pratense* L.                                               |
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| Plant Symbol = TRPR2                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

Red clover is primarily used for hay, pasture, silage, and soil
improvement. It is a quick growing crop, easily established, and
produces high quality forage. Tolerance of shade allows red clover to be
used effectively as a cover crop under silage corn.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

*Trifolium pratense* L., red clover, is an introduced biennial or
short-lived perennial that grows as one of two types: medium
(double-cut) or mammoth (single-cut). Red clover plants grow from
crowns. Plants have hollow, hairy stems and branches. Stem lengths of
medium and mammoth types average 18 inches and 24 to 30 inches,
respectively. Medium types have about 4 branches per stem; mammoth have
6. Each leaf consists of a slender stalk bearing 3 leaflets. The taproot
of red clover is extensively branched. Flowers are borne in compact
clusters or heads and are usually rose-pink in color. Seed pods are
small, short, and contain kidney-shaped seeds that vary in color from
yellow to deep violet. Mammoth red clover matures later than medium
types; only one crop of mammoth red clover is harvested each season
since recovery is slow.

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

Red clover grows best on well-drained loamy soils, but it will also grow
on soil that is not as well-drained. Medium and fine textured soils are
preferred by the plant over sandy or gravelly soils. It is best adapted
to a pH of 6.0 or higher.

![Color image of Red Clover (Trifolium
pratense)](media/image2.jpeg){width="3.0in" height="2.0in"}

Red clover is distributed throughout the United States. For a current
distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species
on the PLANTS Website.

**Establishment**

Red clover may be seeded in pure stands, but it is often mixed with
grain or grass. Spring or late summer seedings are satisfactory. It may
be overseeded in the spring on fall seeded grasses. Red clover seed
should be inoculated. Phosphorus and potash are the fertilizer elements
needed mostly by red clover. Apply as recommended by soil tests. Seeding
may be done with a drill or broadcast. A firm, weed-free seedbed is
essential. Plant seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Graze or cut for hay when the red clover is ¼ to ½ in bloom. A second
cutting or successive grazings should occur when red clover is ¼ in
bloom. Leave at least 2 inches of growth after each harvest. Care should
be taken to eliminate or appreciably reduce bloating of livestock. Keep
lime and fertilizers (phosphorus and potash) at the proper level.
Control insects and diseases.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

Anthracnose and powdery mildew may be problems in areas with high
humidity and rainfall. Choose resistant cultivars to reduce the
occurrence of these diseases.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

Some of the major cultivars for the western US are 'Pennscott',
'Chesapeake', 'Kenland', 'Cumberland', 'Dollard', 'Midland' and
'Lakeland'. 'Altaswede', 'Norlac', and 'Craig' are mammoth red clovers.
In the eastern US, varieties selected should be resistant to anthracnose
and powdery mildew. Some cultivars commercially available that are
moderate to highly resistant to anthracnose are 'Acclaim', 'Rally',
'Redland II', and 'Renegade'. Those moderate to highly resistant to
powdery mildew are 'Arlington', 'Rally', 'Rebel', 'Red Star', and
'Reddy'. Most cultivars and varieties adapted to your area can be found
through local seed suppliers.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

##### 

##### Edited: 05Feb2002 JLK; 30may06jsp {#edited-05feb2002-jlk-30may06jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*