Trifolium alpinum

Western Alps Clover (Trifolium alpinum)

The Western Alps Clover (Trifolium alpinum ) is a plant that to the subfamily of Fabaceae ( Faboideae ) within the family Leguminosae ( Fabaceae or Leguminosae ) is one.

Description

The Western Alps Clover is a bald, perennial, herbaceous plant, which reaches stature heights from 5 to 20 centimeters. She has a tough taproot that tastes sweet. All three-part leaves are basal. The petiole has a length of about 5 cm. The three leaf segments have a length of about 10 cm, have a linear - lanceolate shape and can be described as entire.

Kopfige the inflorescence has a diameter of about 3 to 5 cm and consists of three to twelve large pedicled flowers. The Bald and ten annoying calyx tube is longer than the pedicels. The flesh- pink to purple flowers that smell balmy in the sunshine, are between 18 and 25 mm long and project beyond the calyx tube about eight times. Bloom time is from June to August.

Occurrence

Especially in the silicate chains of the central and the southern Alps. Also in the Pyrenees to the Apennines at an altitude 1400-3100 meters.

The Alpenklee preferably lime-free soils. Its natural habitats are bristle grass and Krumm harrow lawn.

Others

The decoction of the tap root is used in folk medicine for chest complaints.

This plant is popular as fodder for cows, sheep, chamois and marmots.