Magness et al. The two species listed are of importance in the United States. Both are annuals native to the Mediterranean Area that became established in this country by chance. They are adapted only to areas where winter temperatures do not go much below freezing. Although annuals, they commonly reseed, starting growth in the fall and furnishing winter and early summer pasture under mild conditions.
Stems are rather weak, usually semiprostrate unless supported.
The bur-clovers combine well with grasses as pasturage. While nutritious, either as hay or pasture, they are less palatable to livestock than alfalfa or most other clovers. They are valuable as green-manure crops, especially in orchards where volunteer growth can be maintained if plants are allowed to mature a seed crop at intervals before turning under.