Tomcat Clover

Trifolium willdenovii

Native to:
Canada, Mexico, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Trifolium
Species:
Trifolium willdenovii
USDA Symbol:
TRWI3

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Annual
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
60 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
apr,may,jun
Bloom Colors:
purple, pink, white

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Caterpillars:
★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Keystone Species Ranking

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

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, butterflies
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Native annual clover of California grasslands; reseeds prolifically after fire in grassland systems.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
prefers open, sunny habitats

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
7–21 days
Notes:
Scarification improves germination. Seeds may benefit from inoculation with appropriate Rhizobium.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI