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Trifolium dubium - Sibth.

Common Name Suckling Clover
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Grassy places throughout Britain[17].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Sweden south and east to Spain and the Caucasus.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Full sun
Trifolium dubium Suckling Clover


www.hear.org/starr/
Trifolium dubium Suckling Clover
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Kenraiz

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Trifolium dubium is a ANNUAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
It is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to October, and the seeds ripen from July to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
It can fix Nitrogen.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

T. minus. Sm.

Habitats

 Lawn; Meadow;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


The plant is haemostatic[257]. A poultice of the chopped plant has been applied to cuts to stop the bleeding[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

The plant fixes atmospheric nitrogen and is used in seed mixes with grasses for land reclamation sowings[200].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Dynamic accumulator  Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in a moist, well-drained circum-neutral soil in full sun[200]. Succeeds in poor soils[200]. Grows well in a wild flower lawn[200]. It grows well in an apple orchard, the trees will produce tastier fruit that stores better[201]. 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[201]. The nectar-rich flowers are a good food source for bees and butterflies[200]. 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[200]. Buttercups growing nearby depress the growth of the nitrogen bacteria by means of a root exudate[201]. 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.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in spring to early summer in situ.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Trifolium subterraneumSubterranean CloverAnnual0.2 7-10  LMHNM104
Trifolium tridentatumTomcat CloverAnnual0.6 0-0  LMHNM202
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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Sibth.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

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Readers comment

   Jan 25 2014 12:00AM

Please share experiences with using this plant between vegetables as groundcover.

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