White Clover

Trifolium repens

White Clover is a perennial broadleaf weed that is also ommonly known as Dutch Clover, Honeysuckle Clover, White Trefoil and Purplewort. Its scientific name is Trifolium repens.

Identify

Creeping

Pinnately Trifoliolate

Elliptical

White Clover forms shallow roots from its stolons at nodes along the stems. This broadleaf weed features leaves that are dark green with three leaflets, veins that run parallel and a white, crescent-shaped mark on each leaflet. White Clover has large hairy petioles and no stalk on the middle leaflet. Its flowers are white, round groupings of smaller individual flowers, and some appear to have a pinkish cast. White Clover can flower from mid-May through the end of September, and the flowers often attract bees in search of food.

Life Cycle

This broadleaf weed grows best in moist soils that are low in nitrogen levels, though it can adapt to grow in many different types of soils. In the past, White Clover was often used when establishing grass for lawns and landscaping, and the weed is still included in some of the cheaper mixtures today.

Control

Trifolium repens can be a rather difficult weed to control via physical removal (i.e., pulling weeds). This may result in the seeds spreading to additional areas of your lawn and landscaping. Close mowing practices have been known to discourage White Clover; however, this also adds the risk of scalping your lawn. Professionally selected and applied broadleaf weed killers—based on your specific climate and geography—are the most effective method for control.