Trifolium hybridum

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Alsike clover
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Genus: Trifolium
Species:
T. hybridum
Binomial name
Trifolium hybridum
Synonyms
  • Amoria hybrida (L.) C. Presl.[1]
  • Amoria elegans (Savi) C. Presl[2]
  • Trifolium elegans Savi
  • Trifolium hybridum var. elegans (Savi) Boiss.
  • Trifolium hybridum var. pratense Rabenh.

Trifolium hybridum, the alsike clover,

temperate regions of the world.[6]

History

Despite its scientific name, alsike clover is not of

red clover (T. pratense), but in this he was mistaken and it is a separate species.[7][8]

Description

Alsike clover is a perennial plant with a semi-erect, sparsely branched, grooved stem, hairy in its upper regions. The leaves are alternate and stalked with small stipules. The leaves have three blunt-tipped ovate, unspotted leaflets with finely toothed margins. The inflorescence has a long stalk and is densely globose. The individual florets have a five-lobed calyx and an irregular corolla consisting of five pink petals, one upstanding "standard", two lateral "wings" and the lower two fused to form a "keel". There are ten stamens and a single carpal.[9]

Distribution and habitat

Alsike clover is native to much of southern Europe and southwestern Asia, especially in mountainous regions. It is widely cultivated and used as a forage crop and for this purpose the subspecies T. h. hybridum is used and this has become naturalised further north in Europe and in other parts of the world. Its natural habitat is fields, meadows, roadsides, banks and waste ground. When added to seed mixtures, it seldom persists once the sward has closed up.[10]

Use in horticulture and agriculture

Trifolium Hybridum has been found to quickly lower the pH of soil, increasing its viable area of reproduction,[11] whilst reducing the bio-density of weeds by up to 57%.[12] Under the right conditions it may become invasive unless properly managed.[13] With regard to inbreeding, it was found that there were disadvantageous changes to height, persistence, and vigor unless selectively bred for said traits.[14]

Toxicity

There is limited evidence of Trifolium Hybridum having toxic effects on horses including photosensitization and Alsike clover poisoning. Photosensitivity in horses, also known as alsike rash, is a reversible condition in which the mechanism is unknown.[15] A diet in equestrians of at least 20% Trifolium Hybridum over the course of four weeks could lead to poisoning which includes deleterious neurological effects and liver failure. The active toxin is unknown.[16] The plant can irritate skin if handled.[17]

References

  1. ^
  2. ^ C. Presl Symb. Bot. 1(3): 47 1831
  3. ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Trifolium hybridum". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  4. .
  5. ^ Lee Peterson, Roger Tory Peterson, Lee Allen Peterson, A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants of Eastern and Central North America, Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 1978, c1977. 330 p. (The Peterson field guide series, no. 23): pp 56, 124. Google Books
  6. ^ A R Clapham, T G Tutin, E F Warburg, Flora of the British Isles, Cambridge, 1962, p 341
  7. ^ Publications & Information: Alsike Clover Archived 2012-12-30 at the Wayback Machine. Montana State University.
  8. ^ Clark, G. H. (1913). Fodder and Pasture Plants. Canada Dept. of Agriculture.
  9. ^ "Alsike Clover". NatureGate. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  10. ^ "Trifolium hybridum (Alsike Clover)". Online Atlas of the British and Irish Flora. Retrieved 2013-12-24.
  11. ^ Paplauskienė, V., & Dabkevičienė, G. (2012). A study of genetic diversity in Trifolium hybridum varieties using morphological characters and ISSR markers. Žemdirbystė–Agriculture, 99, 313-318.
  12. ISSN 0002-1962
    .
  13. ^ "ALSIKE CLOVER" (PDF). Plant Fact Sheet/Guide. National Plant Data Center.
  14. ISSN 0011-183X
    .
  15. .
  16. .
  17. ^ Reiner, Ralph E. (1969). Introducing the Flowering Beauty of Glacier National Park and the Majestic High Rockies. Glacier Park, Inc. p. 122.