Trifolium medium

Mean clover ( Trifolium medium) with zigzag growth

The Middle clover ( Trifolium medium), and zigzag clover called, is a widely occurring in Central Europe, a member of the legume family ( Fabaceae ) from the subfamily of the Fabaceae ( Faboideae ). He is placed within the genus Trifolium in the section, subsection Intermedia.

Description

The Middle clover is a perennial, herbaceous plant that reaches the heights of growth between 30 and 50 cm. The bald hairy stem grows up scattered ascending and is usually bent back and forth ( " zigzag clover "). He is often reddish overrun or dashed.

The 1.5 to 5 cm long and 0.8 to 2 cm wide deciduous leaves are elliptical in shape. Grow at its base, lanceolate, narrowed and gewimperte stipules.

In general, a plant has only a single, spherical, usually 2 to 3 cm wide and 3 cm long head that the reason usually has no cover. It sits directly on the stem initially, later it is short-stalked. The 15 to 18 mm long crown is colored purple, very rarely white. The bald, greenish white cup is ten annoying and almost closed by a double lip, hairy torus. The calyx teeth are more or less densely ciliate and unequal length.

The Middle Clover flowers mainly during the months of June to August. Confusion possibilities especially with the red clover.

Stipules

Distribution and habitat requirements

The Middle clover occurs in all of Europe. To the east extends its range to Siberia and the Middle East.

The species is widely distributed both in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and also the most commonly found. Only in Northwest Germany stretches he is missing.

Trifolium medium grows in semi-arid grassland and dry bush societies. He prefers warm, nutrient-rich, calcareous and loamy substrates.