XTrifolium macrocephalum - Giant-Head CloverX
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Giant-Head Clover -or- Big Head Clover (Trifolium macrocephalum), family Fabaceae (Pea/Bean/Legume)
Thanks to Tom and Liz Murphy for contributing their photos of this species! This clover is a perennial that does well in nutrient poor soil, but does not do well in shade. The word on the street is that these plants are good companions with apple trees and result in better tasting and better storing apples. Per Plants For a Future: It should not be grown with camellias or gooseberries because it harbours a mite that can cause fruit drop in the gooseberries and premature budding in the camellias. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby. Buttercups growing nearby depress the growth of the nitrogen bacteria by means of a root exudate. End quote. THe leaves of this clover can be cooked and eaten for greens but nutritional information is not available. There are no recorded uses of the species by Native Americans.
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Plant location: Wallowa Whitman Forest, Oregon June 7, 2014. Giant Head Clover is found in a relatively small area: CA, ID, NV, OR, WA. See the BONAP distribution map, here. Although the distribution of the species is rather restricted, it is not a species of concern, as it is abundant in it's region.Plant -
Bloom season: Late spring to early summer.Foliage -
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