Trifolium gracilentum
Torr. & A. Gray
Pin-point clover
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Christian Schwarz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Christian Schwarz
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) stishovite, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY)
Summary
Source: WikipediaTrifolium gracilentum is a species of clover known by the common names pinpoint clover and slender clover. It is native to western North America including the west coast of the United States and northwestern Mexico, where it grows in many types of habitat, including disturbed areas. It is an annual herb growing prostrate to erect in form with mostly hairless or slightly hairy herbage. The leaves are made up of lance-shaped to oval leaflets. The inflorescence is an umbel of flowers that spread out or flex downward. The flowers have pink or purple corollas less than a centimeter long. One variety of this species, var. palmeri, is a rare plant limited to the Channel Islands of California; it is sometimes treated as a species in its own right, Trifolium palmeri.
Description
An annual clover growing to 0.6 m (2 ft). Hermaphroditic flowers are pollinated by insects. Fixes nitrogen and tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Suitable for mildly acidic to basic soil pH and poor soil nutrition. Requires full sun and prefers moist conditions.
Edible Uses
The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked.
Traditional Uses
The leaves are eaten cooked or raw.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant.
Where It Grows
Mexico, North America, USA,
Cultivation
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in a moist, well-drained circum-neutral soil in full sun. Succeeds in poor soils. It grows well in an apple orchard, the trees will produce tastier fruit that stores better. It should not be grown with camellias or gooseberries because it harbours a mite that can cause fruit drop in the gooseberries and premature budding in the camellias. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby. Buttercups growing nearby depress the growth of the nitrogen bacteria by means of a root exudate. When removing plant remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant, leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.
Propagation
Pre-soak seed for 12 hours in warm water, then sow in spring in situ. If seed is scarce, sow in pots in a cold frame instead. Prick seedlings out into individual pots once large enough to handle, and plant out after the last expected frosts.
Other Uses
Functions as a dynamic accumulator and nitrogen fixer.
Notes
There are about 240 Trifolium species. They are mostly temperate.
References (5)
- Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
- Fl. N. Amer. 1:316. 1838
- Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 875
- Moerman, D. F., 2010, Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press. p 567
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
