Trifolium alexandrinum

Egyptian clover ( Trifolium alexandrinum )

The Egyptian clover ( Trifolium alexandrinum ), also known as Alexandrian clover, belongs to the subfamily of the Fabaceae ( Faboideae ) in the legume family ( Fabaceae ). He is placed in the genus Trifolium in the section, subsection Alexandrina.

It is a useful plant. The Egyptian clover is cultivated in Egypt for centuries. In Central Europe it is grown as Rotkleeersatz since about 1950.

Description

There is a grassy growing, annual herbaceous plant with prostrate, rooting at the nodes, such as foothills acting stems, reaching heights of growth of about one meter and recalls in habit to the alfalfa. The petioles are long; the threefold leaves consist of inverted egg-shaped, finely toothed leaflets.

The long-stalked, terminal inflorescences in the form of spherical head. The yellowish- white flowers have a faint honey scent. The calyx tube is 10nervig, the crown 7 to 12 mm long. The fruit is enclosed by calyx and withered crown.

The flowering season is from May to September.

Occurrence

The distribution is almost worldwide. The species is only known from culture, original sites could lie in the eastern Mediterranean. The preferred sites are on hay meadows, lawns, and along roadsides and dumps.

Swell

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