Description

White clover (Trifolium repens) 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 ¹⁄₂ to 1¹⁄₂ inches in diameter. The petals are white or occasionally tinged with pink.

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.

Species Data

• GROWTH SEASON / LIFE CYCLE
  • perennial weed
• GROWTH HABIT
  • prostrate, spreading
    Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4
• LEAFLET NUMBER
  • three; usually a white crescent-shaped mark near the base of the upper surface of each leaflet
    Figure 5
• 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
    Figure 6
• FLOWER COLOR
  • white
    Figure 7, Figure 8, Figure 9, Figure 10, Figure 11