Narrow clover (Trifolium angustifolium, Sp. Pl.: 769 (1753))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 769 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Trifolium

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Macaronesia, Medit. to Iran

Description

Narrow clover, known scientifically as Trifolium angustifolium, is a unique and intriguing species within the family Fabaceae. This plant was first described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum,” published in 1753.

The narrow clover is notable for its wide but specific geographical distribution. It is prevalent across Macaronesia and stretches from the Mediterranean region all the way to Iran. This distribution indicates that the plant is well-adapted to various climates and topographies within these areas.

As its common name suggests, the narrow clover is distinguished by its elongated and slender foliage, a characteristic that sets it apart from other members of the Trifolium genus. The plant typically thrives in diverse habitats ranging from coastal zones to dry inland areas, showcasing its versatility and adaptability.

The narrow clover plays a significant role in its ecosystem. Belonging to the Fabaceae family, it is instrumental in nitrogen fixation, a process that enriches the soil by converting atmospheric nitrogen into compounds that plants can absorb and utilize. This not only benefits the narrow clover itself but also improves soil fertility, supporting the growth of other plants and contributing to a balanced ecosystem.

Given its ecological importance and distinctive characteristics, Trifolium angustifolium continues to be a subject of interest for botanists and ecologists alike. Its presence across a broad region underscores its adaptability and resilience, making it a fascinating subject for further study and conservation efforts.

Common Names

Eng: narrow clover, narrowleaf crimson clover, narrow-leaf clover, white clover
Deu: schmalblättriger klee
Dan: smalbladet kløver
Swe: luddklöver
Cat: trèvol de fulla estreta
Lav: šaurlapu lupīna
Nld: smalbladklaver
Cym: meillionen gulddail
En: Narrow clover, Narrow-leaf clover, Narrowleaf crimson clover, White Clover, Narrow-leaved Trefoil
Af: Grasklawer
Ar: قداب (قَدَاب)، جدوب (جَدّوب), قرط (قُرط)، قدب (قَدْب)، قرض (قَرَض), نفل رفيع الأوراق
Hy: Երեքնուկ նեղատերև
Bg: Теснолистна детелина
Ca: Fenc bord, Trèvol de fulla estreta
Da: Smalbladet kløver
Nl: Smalbladklaver
Fr: Trèfle à feuilles étroites, Trèfle à folioles étroites, Queue-de-renard
De: Schmalblättriger Klee, Fuchsschwanz-Klee
He: תלתן צר-עלים
It: Trifoglio angustifoglio
Lv: Šaurlapu lupīna
Fa: شبدر برگ‌باریک
Pt: Trevo-de-folhas-estreitas
Ru: Клевер узколистный
Es: Trébol de hoja estrecha
Sv: Luddklöver
Cy: Meillionen gulddail

Synonyms

• Trifolium angustifolium var. nanum (Merino)
• Triphylloides angustifolia ((L.) Moench)
• Trifolium angustifolium var. ramosum (Merino)
• Trifolium angustifolium var. longepetiolatum (Merino)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Lesotho (introduced)
• Nansei-shoto (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Turkmenistan (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 23, 2022 by veronique Sontag (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 11, 2020 by jid (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2021 by Pasak Ewa (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2021 by Pasak Ewa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2021 by Antonio López Rodríguez (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 6, 2021 by Pierre-Paul Lepidi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2020 by José Manuel Bustillos (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2020 by Julien NOËL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2020 by pelluz luis (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2020 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 10, 2021 by Sylvain keldermans (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2022 by bismilla (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 1, 2019 by Bart Batsleer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2020 by Reda Bounab (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 4, 2018 by Isabelle Bellin (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 10, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Patrick LEBOULENGER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 10, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Patrick LEBOULENGER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 10, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Patrick LEBOULENGER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2013 by Tela Botanica − George FOWLER (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2020 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 31, 1875 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken Jun 16, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Paul Fabre (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Benjamin Suze (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 23, 2017 by Pedro Salgadinho (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2021 by Mohammad Rashid (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Mar 30, 2013 by EOL − Valter Jacinto (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Marie PAGNIER (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)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5359395)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:522858-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Trifolium angustifolium L.)

Specifications

Growth