Cows Clover
Trifolium wormskioldii
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
Eric in SF
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Trifolium
- Species:
- Trifolium wormskioldii
- USDA Symbol:
- TRWO
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple, 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
Grapholita conversana, Greenish Blue (Plebejus saepiolus), Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme), western cloudywing (Thorybes diversus)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Obscure bumble bee (Bombus caliginosus), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, moisture-retentive loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in wet meadows and along streambanks.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold stratification; sow in spring.
Pre-treatment: None required
Establishment: Seeds germinate at a higher percentage when placed directly into a warm growth box of 75°F compared to a cooler of 35°F
Source: npn.rngr.net