This article is missing information about infraspecific classification: Kew lists three subspecies but also notes that classification is "complex". Should at least explain the sativum variety mentioned in "Uses". Please expand the article to include this information. Further details may exist on the
talk page.(February 2022)
Description
Red clover is a
herbaceous, short-lived
perennial plant, which is generally variable in size, growing to 20–80 cm (8–31 in) tall. It has a deep
taproot which makes it tolerant to drought and gives it a good soil structuring effect.[5] The
leaves are alternate, trifoliate (with three leaflets), each leaflet 15–30 mm (0.6–1.2 in) long and 8–15 mm (0.3–0.6 in) broad, green with a characteristic pale crescent in the outer half of the leaf; the
petiole is 1–4 cm (0.4–1.6 in) long, with two basal
stipules that are abruptly narrowed to a bristle-like point. The
flowers are dark pink with a paler base, 12–15 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long, produced in a dense
inflorescence, and are mostly visited by
bumblebees.[6]
Distribution
The red clover is native to Europe, Western Asia, and northwest Africa, but it has been naturalized in other continents, like
North and
South America. Specifically, the red clover was brought to
Argentina and
Chile over 100 years ago, although it is not clear how exactly it was introduced.[7] The red clover has become increasingly important as a source of economic stability in Chile, which has made the need for pollinators even more important.[8] One important pollinator, which was also brought from Europe, is Bombus ruderatus, or the large garden bumblebee. This bumblebee has been one of the important pollinators of red clover in South America and other countries such as
New Zealand.[9] In India the highest producer of Red Clover seed is the Agriculture Department of Kashmir's Fodder Seed Production Station Aru, in south Kashmir's Anantnag district of Jammu & Kashmir.[10] Two red clover accessions were deposited in National Gene Bank of India from Fodder Seed Production Station Aru in 2019 vide IC-635999 and IC-636000 by ICAR.[11]
Uses
It is widely grown as a
fodder crop, valued for its
nitrogen fixation, which increases soil fertility. For these reasons, it is used as a
green manure crop. Several
cultivar groups have been selected for agricultural use, mostly derived from T. pratense var. sativum. It has become
naturalised in many temperate areas, including the
Americas and
Australasia as an escape from cultivation.
Due to its beauty, it is used as an
ornamental plant. Red clover's flowers and leaves are edible, and can be added as garnishes to any dish.[12] They can be ground into a
flour.
Trifolium pratense's perennial nature affords sustained, reliable growth. Furthermore, the species' ability to
fix nitrogen promotes protein rich growth, enables it to support a wide range of wildlife including deer, turkeys, and rabbits. These characteristics make Trifolium pratense useful for hunters interested in attracting game.[citation needed] The pink flowers afford high visibility levels and facilitate such attraction and may be used by wildlife remediation teams and conservationists seeking to build wildlife bridges to connect fragmented habitats.[13]
In
alternative medicine, red clover is promoted as a treatment for a variety of human maladies, including symptoms of menopause,
coughs, disorders of the
lymphatic system and a variety of
cancers. There is some evidence it may reduce the frequency of
hot flushes in menopausal women.[15] There is no good evidence it is of any benefit in preventing or treating cancer or any other diseases.[16]
Due to its
coumarin derivatives, T. pratense should be used with caution in individuals with coagulation disorders or currently undergoing
anticoagulation therapy.[17] It is metabolised by
CYP3A4 and therefore caution should be used when taking it with other drugs using this metabolic pathway.[18]
^USDA, NRCS (n.d.).
"Trifolium pratense". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
^Rosso, B. S.; Pagano, E. M. (2005-08-01). "Evaluation of Introduced and Naturalised Populations of Red Clover(Trifolium pratense L.) at Pergamino EEA-INTA, Argentina". Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 52 (5): 507–511.
doi:
10.1007/s10722-005-0777-z.
ISSN0925-9864.
S2CID21172324.
^Arretz, P. V.; Macfarlane, R. P. (1986-01-01). "The Introduction of Bombus Ruderatus to Chile for Red Clover Pollination". Bee World. 67 (1): 15–22.
doi:
10.1080/0005772X.1986.11098855.
ISSN0005-772X.
^Morales, Carolina L; Arbetman, Marina P; Cameron, Sydney A; Aizen, Marcelo A (2013-07-15). "Rapid ecological replacement of a native bumble bee by invasive species". Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 11 (10): 529–534.
doi:
10.1890/120321.
ISSN1540-9295.
S2CID86469248.
^Ghazanfarpour M, Sadeghi R, Roudsari RL, Khorsand I, Khadivzadeh T, Muoio B (2016). "Red clover for treatment of hot flashes and menopausal symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis". J Obstet Gynaecol. 36 (3): 301–11.
doi:
10.3109/01443615.2015.1049249.
PMID26471215.
S2CID1987452.
^"Red Clover". American Cancer Society. November 2008. Archived from
the original on 31 July 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
^Öhberg, H.; Bång, U. (2010). "Biological control of clover rot on red clover by Coniothyrium minitans under natural and controlled climatic conditions". Biocontrol Science and Technology. 20: 25–36.
doi:
10.1080/09583150903337805.
S2CID85239942.