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| ## white clover {#white-clover .Title-Header}                         |
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| *Trifolium repens* L.                                                 |
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| Plant Symbol = TRRE3                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

![Color image of White Clover (Trifolium
repens)](media/image2.jpeg){width="3.0in" height="2.0208661417322835in"}

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

*Forage*: White clover is the most important pasture legume. It is
highly palatable, nutritious forage for all classes of livestock. White
clover is commonly planted with orchardgrass, ryegrass, or tall fescue.
'Ladino' planted with orchardgrass produces the premier forage
combination for intensive grazing systems in the Northeast. 'Ladino'
grows tall enough to be harvested for hay, silage, and green chop.
Common white clover seldom grows tall enough to be harvested for hay or
silage.

*Beautification*: White clover is seeded at 2 pounds per acre with grass
for stabilization on moist soils. On dry sites it usually establishes
only on wet or moist areas.

*Wildlife*: White clover is a choice food for deer and elk.

*Erosion control*: Grass seedings benefit from the nitrogen produced by
white clover included in the seed mixture. Solid stands of white clover
form a good erosion controlling cover on moist fertile soils, but stands
may be sparse or spotty on dry sites.

##### 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).

##### Weediness {#weediness .Header-3}

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and
may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please
consult with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service
office, or state natural resource or agriculture department regarding
its status and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS
Web site at plants.usda.gov.

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

*Trifolium repens,*L, white clover, is a perennial legume that
originated in Europe and has become one of the most widely distributed
legumes in the world. It has a prostrate, stoloniferous growth habit.
The leaves are composed of three leaflets, which may or may not have a
"crescent" or "water mark" on the upper surface. Leaves and roots
develop along the stolon at the nodes.

The flower heads, each consisting of 40 to 100 florets, are borne on
long stalks from the leaf axils. Florets are white but may have a pink
hue.

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

White clover thrives best in a cool, moist climate in soils with ample
lime, phosphate, and potash. In general, white clover is best adapted to
clay and silt soils in humid and irrigated areas. It grows successfully
on sandy soils with a high water table or irrigated droughty soils when
adequately fertilized. White clover seldom roots deeper than 2 feet,
which makes it adapted to shallow soils when adequate moisture is
available.

White 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 {#establishment .Header-3}

The standard seeding rate is two pounds per acre. For pasture
establishment, seeds are drilled into a well-prepared seedbed that has
been plowed, harrowed, and compacted to produce a firm seedbed. The
seeds are inoculated before seeding. For stabilization use, seeds are
broadcast on roadside cuts and fills by cyclone seeders, hydroseeders,
or blower-type equipment.

The proper time of seeding is determined by seasonal and moisture
conditions. This may vary from April to May. Late summer and fall
seedings should be conducted while adequate moisture is still in the
soil to assure establishment before freezing.

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

Management for forage is aimed at maintaining 40% to 50% clover. Close
grazing (2 inch stubble height) favors clover, whereas light grazing
favors grass. Well-fertilized grass will outgrow clover in fall and
winter and could smother the clover.

Spring applications of nitrogen will stimulate grass and provide early
feed, but excessive rates are detrimental to the clover stand. Phosphate
applications are broadcast in fall or spring according to soil tests.
Sulfur, boron, or magnesium may be needed for maximum production on some
soils in the western part of white clover's range.

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

There are no serious pests of white clover; however, in the South, white
clover is susceptible to a number of insect pests, as well as leaf and
root diseases.

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

The three general types of white clover usually recognized are (1)
large, (2) intermediate, and (3) small.

*Large type*: 'Ladino' is the recommended cultivar of the large type. It
is two to four times as large as common white clover. It is very well
suited to the interior areas of western Oregon, away from the coast. It
will winter kill under dry winter conditions, and is susceptible to slug
damage. It requires a high soil phosphate level and good management for
maximum production. 'Pilgrim' and 'Merit' have been developed for winter
hardiness.

*Intermediate type*: 'Grassland Huia' is representative of the
intermediate type. It was formerly designated 'New Zealand'. It is very
well adapted to locations along the coast and interior western Oregon
where slugs are a problem.

*Small type*: "New York' wild white clover is an example of the small
type, which is adapted to higher elevations and colder areas. It is the
most drought-resistant type. It is very persistent in pastures,
withstands close grazing, and is the least productive of the white
clovers. 'Kent Wild' white clover is also a small type.

White clover seeds are available at most commercial seed stores.

##### Control {#control .Header-3}

Please contact your local agricultural extension specialist or county
weed specialist to learn what works best in your area and how to use it
safely. Always read label and safety instructions for each control
method. Trade names and control measures appear in this document only to
provide specific information. USDA, NRCS does not guarantee or warranty
the products and control methods named, and other products may be
equally effective.

##### 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/)\>

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large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
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*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
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*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
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