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Red Clover, Cowgrass - Trifolium pratense


Family: Fabaceae – Pea family Genus Common Name: Clover Native Status: Introduced
Trifolium pratense - Red Clover, Cowgrass. Red Clover is an introduced species which has become naturalized in every state in the United States and all but one Canadian province. While many species that have become so widely naturalized would be considered invasive, this plant has been welcomed due to its economic importance, even becoming the state flower of Vermont. The flowers, leaves and stem are edible, and are sowed for cattle fodder. Red Clover is also good for soil quality, being important in nitrogen fixation.

Journal Articles Referencing Clover
Distribution of Trifolium pratense in the United States and Canada:
USDA Plants Distribution Map
Blue=Native; Grey=Introduced

Map from USDA Plants Database:
USDA, NRCS. 2009. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 23 May 2013). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

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Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2009-May-10Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Red clover's blossom is a cluster of tiny pink blossoms in a head about 1 inch across.
Trifolium pratense

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2013
Photographs Copyrighted by the named photographer