Common Name: Sour Clover

General Information

Trifolium fucatum is an annual plant with stout stems; it can growi 10 - 80cm tall[].
The plant has long been a favourite food of the native peoples in western N. America, where it is still commonly harvested from the wild for local use.

Known Hazards

Eating this plant can cause bloat, especially if larger quantities are consumed[].

Botanical References

,

Range

Southwestern N. America - Oregon, California

Habitat

Grassy places[]. Moist places, often more or less brackish; at elevations up to 900 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in a moist, well-drained circum-neutral soil in full sun[]. Succeeds in poor soils.
It grows well in an apple orchard, the trees will produce tastier fruit that stores better[]. It should not be grown with camellias or gooseberries because it harbours a mite that can cause fruit drop in the gooseberries and premature budding in the camellias[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[]. Buttercups growing nearby depress the growth of the nitrogen bacteria by means of a root exudate[]. When removing plant remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant, leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[, , , ]. A sweet flavour[, ].
Trifolium species are generally eaten before the plant comes into flower. Eating larger quantities can cause bloat - traditionally, the leaves were eaten with other foods that aid in digestion and therefore prevent bloating[].

Seeds - raw[].

Flowers and young seedpods - raw or cooked[, ].

Seedpods[]. No more details, but it is probably referring to the immature seedpods.

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in spring in situ.
If the seed is in short supply it might be better to sow it in pots in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts.