Trifolium microcephalum

Species of legume

Trifolium microcephalum
Conservation status

Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Genus: Trifolium
Species:
T. microcephalum
Binomial name
Trifolium microcephalum
Pursh

Trifolium microcephalum is a species of clover known by the common names smallhead clover[1] and small-headed clover.[2]

It is native to western North America from southern Alaska and British Columbia to California, Montana, Arizona, and Baja California, where it occurs in many types of habitat, becoming common to abundant in some regions. It can grow in disturbed habitat and become a casual roadside weed.

Description

Trifolium microcephalum is an annual herb taking a decumbent or erect form. It is coated in hairs. The leaves are made up of oval leaflets with notched tips, each measuring up to 2 centimeters long, and bristle-tipped stipules.

The inflorescence is a head of flowers borne in a bowl-like involucre of wide, hairy bracts. The head is not more than a centimeter wide. Each flower has a calyx of sepals with lobes narrowing into hairy bristles. The flower corolla is pinkish or purplish and measures 4 to 7 millimeters in length.

References

  1. ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Trifolium microcephalum". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  2. ^ BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.

External links

  • Calflora Database: Trifolium microcephalum (Hairy clover, Maiden clover, Small headed clover)
  • Jepson Manual eFlora (TJM2) treatment of Trifolium microcephalum
  • Burke Museum, University of Washington
  • UC CalPhotos gallery: Trifolium microcephalum
Taxon identifiers
Trifolium microcephalum


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