1. Smallhead Clover – Trifolium microcephalum
(tri-FO-lee-um my-kro-sef-AY-lum)
Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Native to: Much of western N. America from Canada to Baja; open grassy places, moist meadows,
sandy river banks and drier hillsides to about 7500 ft. elevation.
herbaceous annual
mature height: 1 ft. mature width: 1 ft.
Smaller annual clover with typical sprawling/mounded foliage. Leaves light green, typical for
clovers. Foliage covered with soft, silvery hairs.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms in spring or summer (Apr-Aug). Flowers are small, pale pink/lavender
typical of clovers, in small (< 1 inch) clumps. Pretty flowers up close; light fragrance.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Most often used as an annual groundcover on hills, slopes or in orchards. Nice
addition to natural meadows/prairies or native ‘lawns’. Pretty in pots and planters, where the small
flowers and delicate fragrance can be appreciated. Young foliage can be boiled & eaten. Like all
clovers, plants improve usable soil nitrogen.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native clovers.
Attracts: Excellent pollinator habitat: attracts native bees, butterflies, others. Birds eat seeds.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to light shade.
Any well drained soil; any local pH
Needs good soil moisture during growth season (winter through spring); decrease
water substantially after flowering to promote good reseeding.
None needed; likes nutrient-poor soils.
Management:
Fairly easy to grow. Leave roots in ground after harvesting to improve soil nitrogen.
Propagation: from seed: soak seeds in hot water for 12 hours; plant winter through early spring in
prepared soil.
Rake in lightly.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 10, 16
1/23/08
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