Clover (Trifolium) also known as trefoil known from the division of the leaf into three leaflets, is a name of different species of plants of the natural order Leguminosse. There are about 150 species, of which 18 are natives of Britain. Some are weeds, but many species are valued as food for cattle. Trifolium pratense, or common red clover, is a biennial, and sometimes, especially on chalky soils, a triennial plant. This is the kind most commonly cultivated, as it yields a larger product than any of the other sorts. Trifolium repens, or white clover, is a most valuable plant for pasturage over the whole of Europe, Central Asia, and North America, and has also been introduced into South America. The bee gathers much of its honey from the flowers of this species.
Trifolium hybridum, Alsike, hybrid, or Swedish clover, has been long cultivated in the south of Sweden, and for some time also in other countries; it is strongly recommended for cold, moist, stiff soils. It resembles the common red clover in duration, stature, and mode of growth. Trifolium medium, perennial red or meadow clover, much resembles the common red, but differs somewhat in habit, and the bright red flowers are larger and form a less compact head. Its produce is less in quantity, and not so nutritive, as that of the common red. The name clover is often applied to plants like medick and melilot, cultivated for the same purpose and belonging to the same natural order, although not of the same genus. Research Clover
Abbreviations
Nature
Research Clover