red clover

''Trifolium pratense'' (from Latin prātum, meaning meadow), red clover, is a herbaceous species of flowering plant in the bean family, Fabaceae. It is native to the Old World, but planted and naturalised in many other regions.

Description

Red clover is a herbaceous, short-lived perennial plant, which is generally variable in size, growing to tall. It has a deep taproot which makes it tolerant to drought and gives it a good soil structuring effect. The leaves are alternate, trifoliate (with three leaflets), each leaflet long and broad, green with a characteristic pale crescent in the outer half of the leaf; the petiole is long, with two basal stipules that are abruptly narrowed to a bristle-like point. The flowers are dark pink with a paler base, long, produced in a dense inflorescence, and are mostly visited by bumblebees.

Taxonomy

''Trifolium pratense'' was initially published by Carl Linnaeus in his book ''Species Plantarum'' in 1753.

The genus has 3 known subspecies:
*''Trifolium pratense'' subsp. ''baeticum''
*''Trifolium pratense'' subsp. ''kotulae''
*''Trifolium pratense'' subsp. ''pratense''

Distribution

The red clover is native to Europe, Western Asia, and northwest Africa, but it has been naturalised in other continents, like North and South America. Specifically, the red clover was brought to Argentina and Chile over 100 years ago, although it is not clear how exactly it was introduced. The red clover has become increasingly important as a source of economic stability in Chile, which has made the need for pollinators even more important. One important pollinator, which was also brought from Europe, is '' Bombus ruderatus'', or the large garden bumblebee. This bumblebee has been one of the important pollinators of red clover in South America and other countries such as New Zealand. In India the highest producer of red clover seed is the Agriculture Department of Kashmir's Fodder Seed Production Station Aru, in south Kashmir's Anantnag district of Jammu & Kashmir. Two red clover accessions were deposited in National Gene Bank of India from Fodder Seed Production Station Aru in 2019 vide IC-635999 and IC-636000 by ICAR.

Diseases

Red clover is subject to bacterial as well as fungal diseases, including clover rot, and red clover rust, ''Uromyces trifolii-repentis'' var. ''fallens''. Other problems include parasitic nematodes (roundworms) and viruses.

Uses

It is widely grown as a fodder crop, valued for its nitrogen fixation, which increases soil fertility. For these reasons, it is used as a green manure crop. Several cultivar groups have been selected for agricultural use, mostly derived from ''T. pratense'' var. ''sativum''. It has become naturalised in many temperate areas, including the Americas and Australasia as an escape from cultivation.

Due to its beauty, it is used as an ornamental plant. Red clover's flowers and leaves are edible, and can be added as garnishes to any dish. They can be ground into a flour.

The flowers often are used to make jelly and tisanes, and are used in essiac recipes. Their essential oil may be extracted and its unique scent used in aromatherapy.

''Trifolium pratense'''s perennial nature affords sustained, reliable growth. Furthermore, the species' ability to fix nitrogen promotes protein rich growth, enables it to support a wide range of wildlife including deer, turkeys, and rabbits. These characteristics make ''Trifolium pratense'' useful for hunters interested in attracting game. The pink flowers afford high visibility levels and facilitate such attraction and may be used by wildlife remediation teams and conservationists seeking to build wildlife bridges to connect fragmented habitats.

Medicinal uses

In the traditional medicine of India, ''Trifolium pratense'' is believed to be a deobstruent, antispasmodic, expectorant, sedative, anti-inflammatory and antidermatosis agent.

In alternative medicine, red clover is promoted as a treatment for a variety of human maladies, including symptoms of menopause, coughs, disorders of the lymphatic system and a variety of cancers. There is some evidence it may reduce the frequency of hot flushes in menopausal women. There is no good evidence it is of any benefit in preventing or treating cancer or any other diseases.

Due to its coumarin derivatives, ''T. pratense'' should be used with caution in individuals with coagulation disorders or currently undergoing anticoagulation therapy. It is metabolised by CYP3A4 and therefore caution should be used when taking it with other drugs using this metabolic pathway.

Fertility effects

Phytoestrogens in red clover cause infertility in ewes that graze on recently cleared pasture. This can take the form of temporary infertility, known as "clover disease," or irregular sexual development that results in permanent infertility. Uterine lesions similar to those observed in permanently infertile ewes have also been observed in rodents and women that were exposed to estrogen during fetal development. The American Herbal Products Association has classified red clover supplements as potentially unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

In culture

''Trifolium pratense'' is the state flower of Vermont. It has also been used as the national flower of Denmark. In 1936 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced it was the national flower as part of an international exhibition taking place in Argentina. However, the choice did not become popular with the public. In 1987 the daisy, specifically either the marguerite daisy (''Argyranthemum frutescens'') or oxeye daisy (''Leucanthemum vulgare''), replaced it as the nation's floral emblem.

See also

*Green manure
* List of ineffective cancer treatments

References

Further reading

*

External links

Red-clover seed production in the Intermountain States
hosted by th
UNT Government Documents DepartmentFlora Europaea: ''Trifolium pratense''
*

{{Authority control

pratense
Flora of Europe
Flora of Western Asia
Flora of North Africa
Symbols of Vermont
Vermont culture
Garden plants of Europe
Butterfly food plants
Plants described in 1753
Nitrogen-fixing crops
Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
Forages

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