Turffiles:Weeds:Clover, White

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white clover flowers Clover, White

[Trifolium repens L.]

DESCRIPTION

White clover is a perennial with creeping stems rooting at some nodes. Leaves have three leaflets with a long erect petiole that is surrounded at the base by a membranous sheath. The flowering heads are borne on long stalks arising from the stems and usually rise above the leaves. The flower cluster may be ½ to 1½ inches in diameter. The petals are white or occasionally tinged with pink.

Characteristic	Description
Growth Season	perennial weed
Growth Habit	prostrate, spreading
Leaflet Number	three; usually a white crescent-shaped mark near the base of the upper surface of each leaflet
Leaf Margin	slight toothing on leaflet edges
Leaf Hairs	none
Leaf/Leaflet Shape	oval/egg-shaped/elliptical
Leaf Width	1/2 - 2 inches
Leaf Venation	pinnate
Leaf Arrangement	alternate
Root Type	fibrous; can usually find round nodules on the roots which fix atmospheric nitrogen for use by plants
Flower Color	white


white clover, trifoliate leaf	white clover

Note: Still not sure this is the right weed? The Turf & Weed Identification Decision Aid may help. Check the TurfFiles glossary for definitions of unfamiliar terms.

CULTURAL CONTROL

White clover may be found under close mowing conditions. Maintaining soil phosphorus at medium levels and nitrogen at the proper level for the desired turfgrass reduces the competitive ability of white clover in turf.

CHEMICAL CONTROL

White clover can be controlled with products containing two, three, and four way broadleaf herbicides. Clover species are especially susceptible to clopyralid-containing products (e.g., Lontrel, Confront) as well as fluroxypyr-containing products (Spotlight, Escalade 2, etc.). Apply in fall or spring.

*Preemergence herbicides:*

Herbicide	Tolerant Turfs ⁽¹⁾	Average Efficacy Rating⁽²⁾	Range of Trial Efficacy Values, %	Number of Trials	Products ⁽³⁾
pronamide*	be	G		0	Kerb

*Postemergence herbicides:*

Herbicide	Tolerant Turfs ⁽¹⁾	Average Efficacy Rating⁽²⁾	Range of Trial Efficacy Values, %	Number of Trials	Products ⁽³⁾
clopyralid**	ba, bc, be, bk, c, f, r, sa, z	E	100	10	Lontrel
clopyralid & triclopyr**	be, bk, c, f, r, z	E	95 - 100	9	Confront
2,4-D & dicamba & mecoprop	bk, f, r, z	E	93 - 100	7	MEC Amine-D*, Trimec Bentgrass, Trimec Classic, Trimec Southern, Triplet
dicamba & MCPA & triclopyr	ba, bc, be, bk, f, r, z	E	99 - 100	5	Cool Power, Horsepower
2,4-D & carfentrazone & dicamba & mecoprop	ba, bc, be, bk, f, r, z	E	100	3	Speed Zone, Speed Zone Southern
2,4-D & clopyralid & dicamba**	ba, bc, be, bk, f, r, z	E	95 - 100	3	Millenium Ultra 2
metsulfuron	be, sa, z	E	100	3	Escort**, Manor
dicamba	ba, be, bk, f, r, z	E	81 - 100	2	Banvel, Clarity, Vanquish
triclopyr	f, r	E	93 - 98	2	Turflon Ester
trifloxysulfuron-sodium	be, z	E	99 - 100	2	Monument
2,4-D & triclopyr*	bk, f, r	E	96	1	Chaser
atrazine*	be, c, sa, z	G	85	1	AAtrex 4L
fluroxypyr	ba, bk, c, f, r, sa, z	F	54 - 96	2	Spotlight
2,4-D	be, bk, f, r, z	F		0	2,4-D amine, Solution Water Soluble
imazaquin	be, c, sa, z	F		0	Image
metribuzin	be	F		0	Sencor 75 Turf

*	For use only by or under the supervision of a certified applicator, or by commercial nursery, turf, and landscape personnel.
**	Not for application to residential lawns.

*Footnotes:*
(1)	*Turfgrass Codes:*
	ba	bahiagrass
	bc	bentgrass, creeping
	be	bermudagrass
	bk	bluegrass, Kentucky
	c	centipedegrass
	f	fescue, tall
	r	ryegrass, perennial
	sa	St. Augustinegrass
	z	zoysiagrass
	blank	No turfgrass in the database is completely tolerant. Check label to see if chemical can be used at a reduced rate or during the dormant season on your turfgrass.
(2)	*Efficacy Ratings:*
	E	excellent control (90 to 100%)
	G	good control (80 to 90%)
	F	fair control (70 to 80%)
	Efficacy ratings are based on herbicide trials performed by weed scientists at North Carolina State University between 1997 and 2007. The number of trials included in the efficacy ratings is displayed in the next-to-last column. The higher this number, the more confidence can be placed in the efficacy values. Trials may have involved sequential applications of one or more chemical. Details of individual trials (herbicide rates, dates of application, environmental conditions at time of application, etc) can be viewed on the TurfFiles web site, through the Turf Weed Management Decision Aid. Efficacy ratings for chemicals lacking trial data are from “Pest Management Strategic Plan for Turfgrass in the Southern United States,” summary of a workshop for turf experts from multiple universities held in Griffin, GA in October, 2004 and sponsored by the Southern Region Integrated Pest Management Center.
(3)	Recommendations of specific chemicals are based upon information on the manufacturer's label and performance in a limited number of trials. Because environmental conditions and methods of application may vary widely, performance of the chemical will not always conform to the safety and pest control standards indicated by experimental data. The order in which brand names are given is not an indication of a recommendation or criticism.
	Recommendations for the use of agricultural chemicals are included in this publication as a convenience to the reader. The use of brand names and any mention or listing of commercial products or services does not imply endorsement by North Carolina State University or discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned. Other brand names may be labeled for use on turfgrasses. Individuals who use agricultural chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label. Be sure to obtain current information about usage regulations and examine a current product label before applying any chemical. For assistance, contact your county's Cooperative Extension agent.

© North Carolina State University. This information sheet was prepared by Fred Yelverton, Bridget R. Lassiter, Gail G. Wilkerson, Leon Warren, Travis Gannon, Jenifer J. Reynolds, and Gregory S. Buol. Department of Crop Science, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, North Carolina State University. Prepared July 15, 2008. Available on-line at www.turffiles.ncsu.edu. This publication was made possible through a grant provided by the Center for Turfgrass Environmental Research & Education (CENTERE) whose purpose is to support worthwhile projects that will benefit both the private sector and the public, and protect the environment.

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