Common Name: Alsike Clover

General Information

Trifolium hybridum is an erect or decumbent, herbaceous, perennial plant, often short-lived, and growing from a branched taproot. The plant produces several stems from the root crown, growing up to 60cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine.

Known Hazards

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

Botanical References

Range

Most of Europe, excluding Scandanavia, UK, Nederlands, Belgium, Germany and Poland; W. Asia - Turkey, Caucasus, Iran, Iraq; N. Africa - Morocco

Habitat

Roadsides in Britain[]. Damp meadows, pastures, roadsides, fields[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Trifolium hybridum is a plant of the temperate to subtropical zones, where it is found at elevations up to 2,000 metres. It is adapted to a wide range of environments but grows best in cool rather than warm temperate conditions. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 12 - 20°c, but can tolerate 4 - 27°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -10°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at 0°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 700 - 900mm, but tolerates 300 - 1,800mm[].
Succeeds in a moist, well-drained circum-neutral soil in full sun, tolerating light shade[, ]. Succeeds in poor soils. Plants can tolerate short periods of the soil being inundated[]. Tolerates moderate levels of salinity[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 8[].
Closely related to T. Repens[].
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[].

Edible Uses

Leaves and flower heads - raw or cooked. Boiled, or after soaking for several hours in salty water[].

A delightful and healthful tea is made from the dried flower heads[]. They are usually mixed with other teas[].

The dried flower heads and seeds can be ground into a nutritious flour[].

Medicinal

A cold infusion of the plant has been used as a wash on the breasts of a nursing mother in order to increase the milk flow[].

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.
Division in spring.