Trifolium campestre

Field clover ( Trifolium campestre )

The field - clover ( Trifolium campestre ) is a species of the subfamily of the Fabaceae ( Faboideae ) in the legume family ( Fabaceae ). He comes in Central Europe before spreading.

Description

The field Clover is an erect to prostrate, usually plant height of 15 to 30 cm reach annual, herbaceous plant. The change-constant leaves are pinnate three parts. The individual leaflets are obovate, truncate or emarginate, the middle is stalked significantly longer than the two lateral ones. The petiole is 6-20 mm long. The stipules are ovate, widened at the base and usually shorter than the petiole.

The 20 - to 40 - flowered, more or less egg-shaped little head shaped, racemose inflorescences usually have a diameter of about 7-12 mm. The hermaphrodite flowers are zygomorphic and fünfzählig. The five 1-3 mm long sepals are fused. Of the five petals are fused together individual. The 4-6 mm long crown is initially yellow and wither the yellow-brown. The boat has a pointed beak. The flag is feathered annoying and shell -like bent, but not folded.

The pulse is 1 to 2 mm long and 0.5 to 1 mm wide.

The field - clover is highly variable in terms of habitus, flower shape and flower color.

The field - clover blooms mainly in the months of June to September.

Ecology

The field Clover is a Therophyt and a pioneer plant. The yellow flowers are " butterfly flowers with folding mechanism ". They are areas which absorb ultraviolet light and those which reflect it. Thus they act on the flower visitors in two colors. Pollinators: honey bees, flies and butterflies. Spontaneous self-pollination is successful. After pollination lowers the large flag and closes the flower entrance.

The fruits are single-seeded small nuts, which are surrounded by the permanent brownish, parchment-like corolla. This corolla works by trapping air as flight organ. The diasporas are widely used as balloonists and Regenschwemmlinge. Also random dispersal by ungulates is possible. Ripening: from July to August.

Occurrence

The field Clover comes from Europe prior to West Asia. He is also found in North Africa.

In Germany, this species is widespread and most frequently found.

In Austria the field Clover comes territory as frequently, but in some areas rarely.

In Switzerland, Trifolium campestre is in the northern area frequently, otherwise scattered to find until rare.

You can find the field Clover fairly common in premolars lime - poor grassland, in lean meadows on sandy fields, along roads and embankments and in fields. It prefers warm, rather dry, calcareous soil. After Ellenberg he is a light plant, nitrogen- poor locations and indicating a Klassencharakterart plow sandy and rocky grasslands ( Sedo- Scleranthetea ).

Use

The field - clover is a valuable forage plant that is sometimes planted. He is also an important soil conditioners, leaner soils by enrichment with nitrogen compounds. He is also a good bee pasture and it can be used also for the enrichment of our park and garden lawn.

Swell

• Description in the Western Australian flora. (English )