Slender suckling clover (Trifolium micranthum, Fl. Libyc. Spec.: 45 (1824))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: Viv.

Bibliography: Fl. Libyc. Spec.: 45 (1824)

Year: 1824

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Trifolium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, N. Africa to Iran, Europe to Caucasus

Description

Slender suckling clover, botanically known as Trifolium micranthum, is a fascinating member of the Fabaceae family, notable for its delicate and understated beauty. This species, first described in 1824 by the botanist Viv., thrives in a variety of climates and terrains, ranging from the balmy regions of Macaronesia and North Africa to the arid expanses of Iran. Its range also extends across Europe and reaches into the Caucasus, illustrating its remarkable adaptability and resilience in diverse environments.

Slender suckling clover is typically found in meadows, pastures, and other open habitats where it can take advantage of the sun. It plays a significant role in these ecosystems, contributing to soil health through nitrogen fixation—a beneficial trait common to many members of the Fabaceae family. By improving nutrient availability, Trifolium micranthum supports the growth of other plants and maintains the ecological balance of its habitats.

The plant exhibits the characteristic trifoliate leaves of clovers, with small, delicate leaflets. Its flowers, true to its common name, are tiny and often go unnoticed compared to more flamboyant counterparts. Nonetheless, these minute blooms form dense clusters that can create a charming carpet of color in the spring and early summer months.

Due to its widespread distribution and hardy nature, Trifolium micranthum is a subject of interest not only for botanists but also for conservationists and agriculturalists. Its presence in various regions underscores the importance of preserving diverse habitats to maintain the ecological roles this unassuming plant fulfills.

In summary, slender suckling clover (Trifolium micranthum) is a modest yet ecologically significant species spanning across multiple continents. Its adaptability and contribution to the environment are testaments to the often-overlooked wonders of the plant kingdom.

Common Names

Deu: armblütiger klee, faden-klee
Dan: spæd kløver
Nor: sveltkløver
Nld: draadklaver
Swe: siroapila, spädklöver
Fin: siroapila
Eng: slender hop clover, slender suckling clover, slender trefoil, slender yellow trefoil
Nob: sveltkløver
Nno: sveltkløver
Fra: trèfle à petites fleurs
Cym: gwe felen eiddil, gwe felen leiaf, meillion eiddil, meillion hopysaidd eiddil, meillionen felen eiddil, meillionen felen fychan, meillionen hopysaidd eiddil
En: Slender suckling clover, Slender trefoil, Slender hop clover, Slender Yellow Trefoil, Lesser Suckling-clover, Slender Suckling-clover
Ar: نفل صغير الأسدية
Bg: Дребноцветна детелина
Da: Spæd kløver
Nl: Draadklaver
Fi: Siroapila
Fr: Trèfle à petites fleurs, Trèfle filiforme
De: Faden-Klee, Armblütiger Klee, Faden Klee, Kleinblütiger Klee
He: תלתן נימי
Is: Angasmári
It: Trifoglio a fiore piccolo, Trifoglio a fiori piccolo, Trifoglio filiforme
Mk: Тенка детелина
No: Sveltkløver
Nb: Sveltkløver
Nn: Sveltkløver
Ru: Клевер мелкоцветковый
Sv: Spädklöver, Siroapila
Cy: Meillionen hopysaidd eiddil, Gwe Felen Eiddil, Gwe Felen Leiaf, Meillion Eiddil, Meillion Hopysaidd Eiddil, Meillionen Felen Eiddil, Meillionen Felen Fychan

Synonyms

• Melilotus microcarpus ((Viv.) Balb. ex Bernh.)
• Chrysaspis filiformis ((L.) Desv.)
• Chrysaspis micrantha ((Viv.) Hendrych)
• Melilotus anomalus (Ledeb. ex Nordm.)
• Trifolium filiforme subsp. micranthum ((Viv.) Bonnier & Layens)
• Amarenus micranthus ((Viv.) Fourr.)
• Trifolium capilliforme (Delile ex Nyman)
• Trifolium humillimum (Sennen)
• Trifolium controversum (Jan ex Ser.)
• Trifolium filiforme var. microphyllum (Ser.)
• Trifolium delilii (Gibelli & Belli)
• Trifolium filiforme var. minimum (Gaudin)
• Trifolium filiforme var. petiolatum (Wimm. & Grab.)
• Amarenus filformis ((L.) Fourr.)
• Trifolium filiforme (L.)
• Trifolium minus var. microphyllum ((Ser.) Rouy)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Norway (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Chatham Is. (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tristan da Cunha (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 22, 2022 by Anna Canning (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2021 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jan 23, 2022 by Norma Villalta (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 23, 2022 by Norma Villalta (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2020 by tommy bauning (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2020 by Patrice Stéphan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

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

Taken May 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Habit

Taken Aug 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jun 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

© 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/5359250)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:523401-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Trifolium micranthum Viv.)

Specifications

Growth

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]