klavers

Klavers, also known as clovers, are herbaceous plants in the genus Trifolium within the legume family Fabaceae. The group includes a large number of species native to temperate regions, and they are commonly referred to simply as clovers. Characteristic features include leaves divided into three leaflets and dense inflorescences of small flowers that can be white, pink, red, or purple depending on the species.

Leaves are usually trifoliate, with three leaflets that can be glossy or dull in appearance. The flowers are arranged in heads or spikes and are frequently visited by bees and other pollinators. Like other legumes, clovers form root nodules containing nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Rhizobium), enabling them to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by plants and thereby improve soil nitrogen content.

Klavers occur in meadows, pastures, lawns, and roadside vegetation. They tolerate a range of soils but generally prefer well-drained, moderately fertile conditions and adequate moisture. They are widely cultivated as forage crops for livestock, as ground cover to reduce erosion, and as part of crop rotations or lawn mixtures to enhance soil fertility and biodiversity.

Common species include white clover (Trifolium repens), a creeping perennial often used in lawns; red clover (Trifolium pratense), a tall perennial valued for forage; and alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum), also a perennial used in some forage systems. Each species has distinct growth habits, flowering times, and palatability.

Some precautions apply in animal husbandry. Alsike clover has been linked to photosensitization and liver problems in horses under certain conditions. Managed grazing and appropriate cultivar choice can mitigate risks while maximizing benefits. Overall, klavers are a widely used and ecologically important group of plants that contribute to forage production, soil health, and pollinator resources.