clover

Clovers are plants in the genus Trifolium, belonging to the legume family Fabaceae. They are herbaceous flowering plants found in temperate regions worldwide, varying from annuals to perennials. Leaves typically have three leaflets, often with a pale or white mark near the center. The flowers are small and arranged in dense inflorescences called umbels, and they can be white, pink, red, or purple depending on species and variety.

The most common species are white clover (Trifolium repens), red clover (Trifolium pratense), and alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum). White clover is a low-growing, creeping ground cover frequently found in lawns and pastures; red clover is taller and widely used for forage and hay; alsike clover is a perennial used for pasture and erosion control.

As with other legumes, clovers form nodules on their roots that host nitrogen-fixing bacteria, enabling atmospheric nitrogen to be converted into a form usable by plants. This enriches soil fertility and can reduce the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, making clover a common green manure or cover crop in crop rotations.

Uses and ecological role: clover is cultivated as forage for livestock, including cattle, sheep, and horses, and serves as a nectar source for pollinators. In lawns and turf, white clover can enhance drought tolerance and soil fertility, though it is sometimes regarded as a weed by those seeking a uniform grassy lawn.