Trifolium repens, L.

10. T. repens L. View in CoL , Sp. Pl. 767 (1753).

Glabrous or glabrescent perennial, usually with extensively creeping stems rooting at the nodes. Leaflets usually bright green with either light or dark marks along the veins, or both; lateral veins translucent in the living plant. Stipules large, membranous, sheathing, contracted into a subulate apex. Heads usually globose. Flowers scented; calyx-teeth narrowly lanceolate, the 2 upper longer than the rest, separated by narrow acute sinuses; corolla 8-13 mm, becoming light brown and strongly deflexed after anthesis; standard ovate-lanceolate. Legume linear, compressed, constricted between the 3-4 seeds. Grassy places, mainly on well-drained soils. Throughout Europe to c. 71° N. All except Sb. Extensively cultivated for fodder and many cultivars have been selected and are grown for this purpose. These often persist or become more or less naturalized. There is, in addition, a considerable amount of variation in wild plants. A comprehensive treatment of this variation is not yet possible, but the following are among the more distinct subspecies that may be recognized. 1 Heads 25-30 mm wide; corolla yellow; standard 3-4 times as long as the calyx (d) subsp. ochranthum 1 Heads not more than 25 mm wide; corolla white or pink;

standard not more than 3 times as long as the calyx 2 Peduncles 10-20 mm, scarcely exceeding the leaves

(e) subsp. orphanideum 2 Peduncles usually exceeding the leaves 3 Calyx with only 6 distinct veins (c) subsp. orbelicum 3 Calyx 10-veined 4 Petioles densely hairy (f) subsp. prostratum 4 Petioles glabrous 5 Leaflets 10 mm or more; heads 15-25 mm wide

(a) subsp. repens 5 Leaflets less than 10 mm; heads less than 20 mm wide

(b) subsp. nevadense