Trifolium polystachyum

Trifolium polystachyum

Native to:
Angola, DR Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Sudan-South Sudan, Uganda, Zambia

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Trifolium
Species:
Trifolium polystachyum
USDA Symbol:
TRPO9

Growth Characteristics

Height:
60 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
may,jun,jul,aug
Bloom Colors:
white, pink

Keystone Species Ranking

Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
★★☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, butterflies

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
moist, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
good drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
prefers nutrient-rich soils in native habitats

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 14–30 days
Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
7–21 days
Notes:
Scarification improves germination; inoculation with Rhizobium beneficial for nitrogen fixation.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI