Common Name:

General Information

Trifolium lupinaster is an erect, herbaceous perennial plant with stems that are unbranched or branched above; it can grow 30 - 60cm[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

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

Botanical References

,

Range

Eurasia - western Russia to Czech Republic, east through northern and central Asia to Russian Far east, Japan, Korea

Habitat

Forests to steppe regions in eastern Europe[]. Forest margins, hillsides, grasslands, moist lowlands[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Bees, 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[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[, ].

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 in late spring.
Division in spring.