Bird Clover
Trifolium ornithopodioides
- Native to:
- Algeria, Baleares, Corse, East Aegean Is., France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kriti, Madeira, Morocco, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Sardegna, Spain
Flora Danica Georg Christian Oeder e.a. (1761-1888)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Trifolium
- Species:
- Trifolium ornithopodioides
- USDA Symbol:
- TROR4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 20 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Keystone Species Ranking
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, low fertility soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny habitats
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Hard seed coat typical of Trifolium; scarification improves germination rates significantly.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI