Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Fabaceae / Leguminosae ⟩ Trifolium incarnatum / crimson clover

Trifolium incarnatum L.

crimson clover (Fabaceae / Leguminosae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
RestrictedModerate tendencySE
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Trifolium incarnatum subsp. incarnatum is a relic of cultivation with deep red flowers, and is much more frequently encountered than T. incarnatum subsp. molinerii.

Hautes-Pyrénées (65), France; 2015-05-25

 crimson clover / Trifolium incarnatum: _Trifolium incarnatum_ subsp. _incarnatum_ is a relic of cultivation with deep red flowers, and is much more frequently encountered than _T. incarnatum_ subsp. _molinerii_.

Trifolium incarnatum subsp. molinerii is native to the Lizard Peninsula (VC1: West Cornwall & Scillies); it has pale pink flowers at the base of the inflorescence, fading to white at the apex (this inflorescence is unusually short).

Lizard (VC1: West Cornwall & Scillies); 2021-06-01

 crimson clover / Trifolium incarnatum: _Trifolium incarnatum_ subsp. _molinerii_ is native to the Lizard Peninsula (VC1); it has pale pink flowers at the base of the inflorescence, fading to white at the apex (this inflorescence is unusually short).

The leaves of Trifolium incarnatum are hairy, and the stipules are relatively blunt, with green veins.

Lizard (VC1: West Cornwall & Scillies); 2021-06-01

 crimson clover / Trifolium incarnatum: The leaves of _Trifolium incarnatum_ are hairy, and the stipules are relatively blunt, with green veins.

As with Trifolium stellatum, the calyx-teeth of Trifolium incarnatum spread outwards in fruit.

Lizard (VC1: West Cornwall & Scillies); 2021-07-13

 crimson clover / Trifolium incarnatum: As with _Trifolium stellatum_, the calyx-teeth of _Trifolium incarnatum_ spread outwards in fruit.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne