Trifolium hybridum: Difference between revisions
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'''''Trifolium hybridum''''', '''alsike clover''', is a plant species of the genus ''[[Trifolium]]'' in the pea family [[Fabaceae]]. The stalked, pale pink or whitish [[flower]] [[head (botany)|head]] grows from the leaf [[leaf|axil]]s, and the [[Leaf shape|trifoliate]] [[leaf|leaves]] are unmarked. The plant is {{convert|1|-|2|ft|cm|sigfig=1}} tall, and is found in fields and on roadsides – it is also grown as [[fodder]] ([[hay]] or [[silage]]). The plant blooms from spring to autumn (April to October in the northern hemisphere).<ref>Lee Peterson, Roger Tory Peterson, Lee Allen Peterson, ''A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants of Eastern and Central North America'', Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 1978, c1977. 330 p. (The Peterson field guide series, no. 23): |
'''''Trifolium hybridum''''', '''alsike clover''', is a plant species of the genus ''[[Trifolium]]'' in the pea family [[Fabaceae]]. The stalked, pale pink or whitish [[flower]] [[head (botany)|head]] grows from the leaf [[leaf|axil]]s, and the [[Leaf shape|trifoliate]] [[leaf|leaves]] are unmarked. The plant is {{convert|1|-|2|ft|cm|sigfig=1}} tall, and is found in fields and on roadsides – it is also grown as [[fodder]] ([[hay]] or [[silage]]). The plant blooms from spring to autumn (April to October in the northern hemisphere).<ref>Lee Peterson, Roger Tory Peterson, Lee Allen Peterson, ''A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants of Eastern and Central North America'', Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 1978, c1977. 330 p. (The Peterson field guide series, no. 23): |
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pp 56, 124. [http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=tFhCes5YUngC&pg=PP11&lpg=PP11&dq=%22A+Field+Guide+to+Edible+Wild+Plants+of+Eastern+and+Central+North+America%22&source=bl&ots=Ed5uOJEaJX&sig=Mj-WXWldfATIPgNs3-sMgvqXMsc&hl=en&ei=VCNwSsuyIdLRjAebz9GfBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1 Google Books]</ref> Originating in mainland [[Europe]], it has become established as an introduced plant in the [[British Isles]]<ref name=Stace/> and throughout the [[temperateness|temperate]] regions of the world.<ref>A R Clapham, T G Tutin, E F Warburg, ''Flora of the British Isles'', Cambridge, 1962, p 341</ref> Despite its scientific name, alsike clover is not of [[hybrid (biology)|hybrid]] origin. The plant gets its common name from the town of [[Alsike]] in [[Sweden]].<ref>[http://www.animalrangeextension.montana.edu/articles/forage/species/legumes/alsikeclover.htm Publications & Information: Alsike Clover]. Montana State University.</ref><ref>Clark, G. H. (1913). [http://chestofbooks.com/flora-plants/weeds/Fodder-Pasture-Plants/Alsike-Clover-Trifolium-Hybridum-L.html Fodder and Pasture Plants.] Canada Dept. of Agriculture.</ref> |
pp 56, 124. [http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=tFhCes5YUngC&pg=PP11&lpg=PP11&dq=%22A+Field+Guide+to+Edible+Wild+Plants+of+Eastern+and+Central+North+America%22&source=bl&ots=Ed5uOJEaJX&sig=Mj-WXWldfATIPgNs3-sMgvqXMsc&hl=en&ei=VCNwSsuyIdLRjAebz9GfBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1 Google Books]</ref> Originating in mainland [[Europe]], it has become established as an introduced plant in the [[British Isles]]<ref name=Stace/> and throughout the [[temperateness|temperate]] regions of the world.<ref>A R Clapham, T G Tutin, E F Warburg, ''Flora of the British Isles'', Cambridge, 1962, p 341</ref> |
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==History== |
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Despite its scientific name, alsike clover is not of [[hybrid (biology)|hybrid]] origin. The plant gets its common name from the town of [[Alsike]] in [[Sweden]] from which Linnaeus first described it. He thought it was a cross between [[white clover]] (''T. repens'') and [[red clover]] (''T. pratense''), but in this he was mistaken and it is a separate species.<ref>[http://www.animalrangeextension.montana.edu/articles/forage/species/legumes/alsikeclover.htm Publications & Information: Alsike Clover]. Montana State University.</ref><ref>Clark, G. H. (1913). [http://chestofbooks.com/flora-plants/weeds/Fodder-Pasture-Plants/Alsike-Clover-Trifolium-Hybridum-L.html Fodder and Pasture Plants.] Canada Dept. of Agriculture.</ref> |
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==Description== |
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Alsike clover is a perennial plant with a semi-erect, sparsely branched, grooved stem, hairy in its upper refgions. The leaves are alternate and stalked with small stipules. The leaves have three blunt-tipped ovate, unspotted leaflets with finely toothed margins. The inflorescence has a long stalk and is densely globose. The individual florets have a five-lobed calyx and an irregular corolla consisting of five pink petals, one upstanding "standard", two lateral "wings" and the lower two fused to form a "keel". There are ten stamens and a single carpal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.luontoportti.com/suomi/en/kukkakasvit/alsike-clover |title=Alsike Clover |publisher=NatureGate |accessdate=2013-12-24}}</ref> |
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==Distribution and habitat== |
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Alsike clover is native to much of southern Europe and southwestern Asia, especially in mountainous regions. It is widely cultivated and used as a forage crop and for this purpose the [[subspecies]] ''T. h. hybridum'' is used and this has become naturalised further north in Europe and in other parts of the world. Its natural habitat is fields, meadows, roadsides, banks and waste ground. When added to seed mixtures, it seldom persists once the sward has closed up.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brc.ac.uk/plantatlas/index.php?q=node/2190 |title=''Trifolium hybridum'' (Alsike Clover) |work=Online Atlas of the British and Irish Flora |accessdate=2013-12-24}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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[[Category:Flora of Norway]] |
[[Category:Flora of Norway]] |
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[[Category:Plants described in 1753]] |
[[Category:Plants described in 1753]] |
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{{Faboideae-stub}} |
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Revision as of 10:58, 24 December 2013
| Trifolium hybridum (alsike clover) | |
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| Species: | T. hybridum
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Trifolium hybridum, alsike clover, is a plant species of the genus Trifolium in the pea family Fabaceae. The stalked, pale pink or whitish flower head grows from the leaf axils, and the trifoliate leaves are unmarked. The plant is 1–2 feet (30–60 cm) tall, and is found in fields and on roadsides – it is also grown as fodder (hay or silage). The plant blooms from spring to autumn (April to October in the northern hemisphere).[2] Originating in mainland Europe, it has become established as an introduced plant in the British Isles[1] and throughout the temperate regions of the world.[3]
History
Despite its scientific name, alsike clover is not of hybrid origin. The plant gets its common name from the town of Alsike in Sweden from which Linnaeus first described it. He thought it was a cross between white clover (T. repens) and red clover (T. pratense), but in this he was mistaken and it is a separate species.[4][5]
Description
Alsike clover is a perennial plant with a semi-erect, sparsely branched, grooved stem, hairy in its upper refgions. The leaves are alternate and stalked with small stipules. The leaves have three blunt-tipped ovate, unspotted leaflets with finely toothed margins. The inflorescence has a long stalk and is densely globose. The individual florets have a five-lobed calyx and an irregular corolla consisting of five pink petals, one upstanding "standard", two lateral "wings" and the lower two fused to form a "keel". There are ten stamens and a single carpal.[6]
Distribution and habitat
Alsike clover is native to much of southern Europe and southwestern Asia, especially in mountainous regions. It is widely cultivated and used as a forage crop and for this purpose the subspecies T. h. hybridum is used and this has become naturalised further north in Europe and in other parts of the world. Its natural habitat is fields, meadows, roadsides, banks and waste ground. When added to seed mixtures, it seldom persists once the sward has closed up.[7]
References
- ^ a b C A Stace, Interactive Flora of the British Isles, a Digital Encyclopaedia: Trifolium hybridum. ISBN 90-75000-69-3. (Online version)
- ^ Lee Peterson, Roger Tory Peterson, Lee Allen Peterson, A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants of Eastern and Central North America, Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 1978, c1977. 330 p. (The Peterson field guide series, no. 23): pp 56, 124. Google Books
- ^ A R Clapham, T G Tutin, E F Warburg, Flora of the British Isles, Cambridge, 1962, p 341
- ^ Publications & Information: Alsike Clover. Montana State University.
- ^ Clark, G. H. (1913). Fodder and Pasture Plants. Canada Dept. of Agriculture.
- ^ "Alsike Clover". NatureGate. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
- ^ "Trifolium hybridum (Alsike Clover)". Online Atlas of the British and Irish Flora. Retrieved 2013-12-24.