Mammoth clover (Trifolium medium, Amoen. Acad. 4: 105 (1759))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Amoen. Acad. 4: 105 (1759)

Year: 1759

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Trifolium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to W. Siberia and Iran

Description

Mammoth clover, known scientifically as Trifolium medium, is a perennial flowering plant with a rich historical background. First documented in the mid-18th century, its description traces back to “Amoenitates Academicae” published in 1759 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus.

Mammoth clover belongs to the Fabaceae family, a diverse group known for its agricultural and ecological importance. As a member of this family, Mammoth clover contributes to soil health through nitrogen fixation, improving soil fertility for surrounding plants.

Native to a broad region encompassing Europe, Western Siberia, and Iran, Mammoth clover thrives in a variety of temperate climates. This wide distribution underscores its adaptability and resilience in different environments. Typically found in meadows, grasslands, and open woodlands, Mammoth clover plays a significant role in supporting pollinators such as bees, which are crucial for maintaining biodiversity and food production.

The name Mammoth clover is suggestive of the plant’s robust and vigorous growth, making it a favored choice in agricultural practices for forage and soil improvement. Its characteristic trifoliate leaves and delicate pinkish-red flowers add to its ornamental value, sometimes gracing gardens and natural landscapes with their subtle charm.

In summary, Mammoth clover, or Trifolium medium, is a vital species within the vast Fabaceae family. Its extensive historical documentation, adaptability across wide geographical ranges, and contributions to both agriculture and ecology make it a plant of significant interest and importance.

Common Names

Dan: bugtet kløver
Eng: mammoth clover, zigzag clover
Deu: mittelklee, mittlerer klee, zickzackklee
Nld: bochtige klaver
Fin: metsäapila
Swe: metsäapila, skogsklöver
Nob: skogkløver
Nno: skogkløver
Por: trevo-roxo
Fra: trèfle intermédiaire, trèfle flexueux
Cat: trèvol mitjà
Spa: trébol intermedio
Sme: meahcceluovvar
En: Mammoth clover, Zigzag clover, Zig-zag Clover
Be: Канюшына сярэдняя
Bg: Междинна детелина
Ca: Trèvol mitjà
Zh: 中间车轴草
Hr: Srednja djetelina
Cs: Jetel prostřední
Da: Bugtet Kløver
Nl: Bochtige klaver
Et: Keskmine ristik
Fi: Metsäapila
Fr: Trèfle intermédiaire, Trèfle flexueux, Trèfle moyen
Ka: Ტყის სამყურა
De: Zickzackklee, Mittelklee, Mittlerer Klee, Zickzack-Klee
Is: Skógarsmári
It: Trifoglio medio, Trifoglio intermedio
Lt: Šilinis dobilas
Se: Meahcceluovvar
No: Skogkløver
Nb: Skogkløver
Nn: Skogkløver
Fa: شبدر گاوی
Pl: Koniczyna pogięta
Pt: Trevo-roxo
Ru: Klever srednyj, Клевер средни
Sk: Ďatelina prostredná
Es: Trébol intermedio, Trébol medio, Trébol zigzag
Sv: Skogsklöver, Metsäapila
Tr: Köse yonca
Uk: Конюшина середня
Cy: Meillionen igam-ogam

Synonyms

• Trifolium flexuosum (Jacq.)
• Trifolium medium var. microphyllum (Lej. & Courtois)
• Trifolium medium var. angustifolium (Wimm. & Grab.)
• Trifolium medium var. eriocalycinum (Hausskn.)
• Trifolium flexicaule (Vill.)
• Lagopus flexuosus (Bernh.)
• Trifolium medium var. majus (Boiss.)
• Trifolium affine (Lej. ex Ser.)
• Trifolium medium subsp. skorpilii (Velen.)
• Trifolium subexpansum (Schur)
• Trifolium pensylvanicum (Willd.)
• Trifolium medium var. angustius (Wahlenb.)
• Trifolium medium var. strictum (Hartm.)
• Trifolium alpestre (Crantz)
• Trigonella micrantha (Desf.)
• Trifolium haynaldii (Meynh.)
• Trifolium medium var. angustium (Wahlenb.)
• Trifolium haynaldianum (Pant.)
• Trifolium medium var. brachycalycinum (Rouy)
• Trifolium aucheri (Boiss.)
• Trifolium medium subsp. flexuosum ((Jacq.) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Trifolium medium subsp. eriocalycinum ((Hausskn.) Ponert)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Krym (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Buryatiya (introduced)
• China North-Central (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Irkutsk (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Kamchatka (introduced)
• Krasnoyarsk (introduced)
• Magadan (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Aug 17, 2022 by Andrzej Pasierbinski (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 22, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2022 by Päddy Gre (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 15, 2018 by Hubert De Rochambeau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2021 by Philippe Bissières (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 25, 2019 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2021 by Philippe Bissières (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 18, 2022 by Olivier Simon (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2022 by Frank Sundermeyer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 8, 2021 by Philippe Bissières (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2021 by Philippe Bissières (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 31, 1877 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2022 by Anna Sokolsky (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 4, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 22, 2022 by Kilhiann Bagur (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:523361-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5358812)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Trifolium medium L.)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Crown

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 4