Scientific Family
Fabaceae
Synonyms
Trifolium appendiculatum, T. gemniflorum
Other common names
long-keeled clover
Pacific Grove clover
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
To 2 feet
Riparian
Yes
This is a variable plant, taking many forms. It is an annual herb growing prostrate to upright in form, thin to fleshy and usually hairless in texture.
Small, leafy annual herb, stems prostrate to ascending, slender, wiry, hairless; dense mat of bright green leaves divided into 3 leaflets with cream-colored edges; flowers are clustered in dense, round heads up to 1 inch in diameter.
Habitat
Found in wet areas and along streams.
Plant Community
Riparian
Low elevation
1900
High elevation
7988
Flower Characteristics
Flower head is round cluster containing a single flower or many flowers to 1/2 inch wide; base is a fused whorl of bracts; each flower has a calyx of sepals narrowing to bristle-like tips; purple corolla usually with a white tip.
Flower color
Purple, white tips
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
May
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves divided into 3 leaflets with finely toothed margins, reverse lance-like to oval, 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, notched with teeth pointing toward apex, wedge-shaped at base, hairless; oval, toothed leaf-like appendage at base of stalk.
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Small, cylindrical and tapering (terete) pods, not splitting open to release seed when ripe (indehiscent).
Fruit type
Pod