How to identify Alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum)

How to identify Alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum)

Alsike clover, also known as Hybrid clover

Alsike clover exhibits trifoliate leaves with each leaflet being oval to elliptical in shape, typically bearing a white or pale pink hue. The leaflets are smooth on the upper surface and often possess a faint crescent mark. Blooming from late spring to autumn, alsike clover bears dense, small globular flower heads, usually less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. These heads are composed of numerous tiny florets, which are initially white, gradually transitioning to a light pink as they mature. The plant's stature is modest, often reaching heights of 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm).

Lifespan: Perennial, Annual

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type: Semi-evergreen

Quickly Identify Alsike clover

Trifoliate leaves with oval to elliptical leaflets in white or pale pink.

Small globular flower heads with tiny white florets transitioning to light pink.

Modest height of 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm) with slender, hairless stems.

Hairless, finely serrate leaves measuring about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) in length.

Round, hollow stem with a diameter of 0.1 to 0.2 inches (2.5 to 5 mm), typically green.

Detailed Traits of Alsike clover

Leaf Features

The leaves of alsike clover are hairless and finely serrate along the edges, each measuring about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) in length. They are notably smooth and emerge directly from the stems. The vein pattern is clear and well-defined, with the central vein being the most prominent. These leaves are typically a vibrant green, providing a distinctive and easily recognizable feature for identification.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

The flowers of alsike clover are whitish-pink with racemes bearing 30 to 50 florets. Each slender floret measures approximately 1/4 inch (6 mm) long. The flower head is rounded, ranging from 1/2 to 3/4 inch (13 to 19 mm) across. Each floret consists of one standard, two side petals, and a keel. The delicate arrangement and soft coloration make them easily recognizable. The scent is subtle, and they typically bloom in late spring through summer.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Stem Features

The stem of alsike clover is round, hollow, and hairless, providing a smooth texture. It typically appears green and may occasionally branch out. The stem's diameter ranges from 0.1 to 0.2 inches (2.5 to 5 mm), and it can grow to a length of up to 2 feet (60 cm). These distinguishing features, especially the hollowness and lack of hair, are critical in identifying the plant.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of alsike clover presents as short, broad pods that are initially greenish/brown in hue. As they mature, they undergo a color transformation, darkening to an almost black shade with age. Notably, the pods retain their contents, as they do not split open upon ripening. This characteristic aids in distinguishing the fruit from those of many other species. The pods measure up to about 1/8 inch (around 3 mm) in length. Their texture and color transitions provide visual clues to their maturity stage for observers.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

A Botanist in Your Pocket

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them

Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.

Alsike clover and Their Similar Plants

White clover vs. Alsike clover: What's The Difference?

White clover (Trifolium repens) is a perennial herb, one of the most cultivated species of clover. It can be found on lawns and grasslands all over the world. White clover is often cultivated as a forage plant and used for green manure in agriculture.

Red clover vs. Alsike clover: What's The Difference?

Red clover is widely cultivated as a fodder plant and green manure because its roots can fix nitrogen and increase the fertility of the soil. The cultivated Trifolium pratense is inevitably escaped and is now naturalized globally, including the United States and Australia. Its flowers are attractive, so it is also cultivated as an ornamental plant.

Hare's-Foot Clover vs. Alsike clover: What's The Difference?

Hare's-Foot Clover (Trifolium arvense) is a flowering clover species native to Europe. Hare's-Foot Clover grows on dry sandy soils, acidic and alkaline soils, and on the edges of fields. Sheep and goats graze on this species, and it can be beneficial to agriculture by adding nitrogen to the soil where it is planted.

Lesser trefoil vs. Alsike clover: What's The Difference?

Lesser trefoil (Trifolium dubium) is a species of clover. It natives to Europe and Southwest Asia, and has introduced to many parts of the world as a pasture. This plant is considered to be the prototype of the traditional Irish shamrock symbol.

Buffalo clover vs. Alsike clover: What's The Difference?

Like many native clovers of the Eastern United States, Trifolium reflexum's populations have declined considerably in the past 200 years. For this species, fire suppression is indicated as a significant cause for decline.

Carolina clover vs. Alsike clover: What's The Difference?

It is a small erect herbaceous annual, or sometimes biennial plant, growing to 10 to 40 cm tall. Like all clovers, it has leaves divided into three sessile leaflets, which are slender, 1 to 2 cm long and 3 to 5 mm broad, and sometimes edged with small hairs and finely serrated. The leaves have a pair of stipules at the base, often tipped in red.

Identify Alsike clover easily and quickly

We're also capable of identifying over 12,000 types of plants, flowers, succulents, and trees in your surroundings.

Identify a Plant Online

Key Facts About Alsike clover

Attributes of Alsike clover

Plant Type

Herb

Plant Height

20 cm to 50 cm

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

2.5 cm

Flower Color

White

Pink

Purple

Fruit Color

Brown

Copper

Stem Color

Green

Identify plants with a snap

Instantly identify plants with AI: Snap a photo, and get accurate results within seconds.

Download the App for Free

Scientific Classification of Alsike clover

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Legumes, milkworts and allies

Family

Legume

Genus

Clovers

Species

Alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum)

Learn More About the Alsike clover

Distribution Map of Alsike clover

Alsike clover is a plant with a native range spanning parts of southern Europe, northern Africa, and large swaths of the Eurasian landmass. It has been introduced to and is now present in various regions across the globe, including South America, Oceania, parts of Asia, and the northern strip of North America. Alsike clover is also cultivated in areas beyond its native habitat.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Alsike clover

A Comprehensive Guide to Alsike clover How to Grow and Care for Alsike clover