Red Clover

Trifolium pratense

Red Clover is a creeping perennial broadleaf weed that is also commonly known as Dutch Clover, Honeysuckle Clover, White Trefoil and Purplewort. Its scientific name is Trifolium pratense.

Identify

Creeping

Palmately Trifoliolate

Elliptical

Red Clover has leaves that are dark green with three leaflets, parallel-running veins and a white, crescent-shaped mark on each leaflet. This broadleaf weed also has large, hairy petioles and features no stalk on the middle leaflet. Red Clover flowers are typically pinkish-red in color and round in shape. Red Clover is distinguishable from White Clover in that it generally displays more upright, clump-forming growth habits and features larger, more elongated leaflets.

Life Cycle

This broadleaf weed can be found in most of the United States. Red Clover thrives in wet to dry meadows, forests and paths, growing best on well-drained loam soil and also adapting to wetter soils.

Control

Trifolium pratense can be controlled with cultural practices, including proper lawn mowing and watering. Physical removal (i.e., pulling weeds) can be effective, though you run the risk of spreading the seeds to additional areas of your lawn and landscaping.