''Trifolium reflexum'', the buffalo clover, is a

species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

clover Clovers, also called trefoils, are plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution with the highest diversit ...

native to the

Eastern United States The Eastern United States, often abbreviated as simply the East, is a macroregion of the United States located to the east of the Mississippi River. It includes 17–26 states and Washington, D.C., the national capital. As of 2011, the Eastern ...

. It is found in areas of natural openings including woodlands, glades, and prairies, often in acidic areas. It is an annual or biennial that produces white to dark pink flowers in the late spring. Early in the

European colonization of the Americas During the Age of Discovery, a large scale colonization of the Americas, involving a number of European countries, took place primarily between the late 15th century and the early 19th century. The Norse explored and colonized areas of Europe a ...

, clover species, likely including ''T. reflexum'' as well as related species such as ''T. stoloniferum'', were recorded as forming a major component of the plant life in meadows and open woodlands, often in association with river cane, nettles, and other legumes. Like many native clovers of the Eastern United States, ''Trifolium reflexums populations have declined considerably in the past 200 years. For this species, fire suppression is indicated as a significant cause for decline.

Controlled burn A controlled burn or prescribed burn (Rx burn) is the practice of intentionally setting a fire to change the assemblage of vegetation and decaying material in a landscape. The purpose could be for forest management, ecological restoration, ...

s have been found to stimulate seed germination in ''T. reflexum''.

As host plant

Buffalo clover is a host plant for the caterpillars of the following butterfly species: * ''

Colias philodice ''Colias philodice'', the common sulphur or clouded sulphur, is a North American butterfly in the family Pieridae, subfamily Coliadinae. Description This species is a typical member of the genus. Both genders typically have pale yellow wings a ...

'' * '' Colias eurytheme'' * '' Everes comyntas'' * ''

Strymon melinus Strymon may refer to: * Strymon (river), a river in Bulgaria and Greece * Strymonian Gulf, a branch of the Thracian Sea * Strymon (theme), a Byzantine province * Strymon (butterfly), ''Strymon'' (butterfly), the genus of scrub hairstreaks, butterfl ...

'' * '' Thorybes pylades''

Gallery

File:T. reflexum macro.jpg, Trifolium reflexum - Close-up of flowers File:T. reflexum top.jpg, Top of flower File:T. reflexum leaf.jpg, Adaxial side of leaf, showing chevrons and slight pubescence File:T. reflexum bract.jpg, Pubescent stem, stipule, and petioles

References

reflexum Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus {{Trifolieae-stub