Clover
(Trifoleum repens, Trifolium pratense)
Everyone loves delicious and environmentally friendly clover – from insects to farmers to patron saints of Ireland. That’s why we say we’re “in clover” when things are going especially well.
Clovers belong to a large group of plants of the genus Trifolium, derived from the Latin for “three leaf”. There are more than 300 species in Europe and about 30 have been recorded in the UK.
What most people call clover is the widespread and distinctive white-flowered Trifolium repens, which blooms from June to September. It thrives on clay-rich soil so is very common in Killearn Parish. The taller red clover, Trifolium pratense, is less common.
Fascinating fact:
Clovers fix nitrogen in their roots and are grown as soil fertilisers.
As well as being good for the soil, clovers are a very nutritious food for livestock. Lots of other animals, including many insects, also feed on the flowers, leaves and seeds.
Very occasionally plants with four leaves are found, and this is considered very lucky. The reasons for this belief are unclear but it is probably because four-leaved forms are so rare.
Lots of legends are associated with clover, such as Saint Patrick using the three-leaved plant to illustrate the Holy Trinity. But what is certainly true is that it is an all-round good plant, very beneficial for ecosystem health in general.
Did you know
Red clover is sometimes used as a herbal medicine and is said to be good for menopausal symptoms.