Stone clover (Trifolium arvense, Sp. Pl.: 769 (1753))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 769 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Trifolium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, Europe to C. Asia and Iran, N. Africa to NE. Trop. Africa

Description

Stone clover, scientifically known as Trifolium arvense, is a noteworthy species belonging to the Fabaceae family. This fascinating plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution, flourishing across diverse regions that include Macaronesia, Europe extending to Central Asia and Iran, as well as North Africa reaching into Northeast Tropical Africa.

Identified and described by the eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753, this species was cataloged in the seminal work “Species Plantarum.” Over centuries, stone clover has adapted to a plethora of environments, showcasing its versatile nature. Typically found in fields, roadsides, and grasslands, Trifolium arvense is distinguished by its fluffy, cylindrical flower heads, resembling the soft texture of clover but with a unique, stone-like appearance.

This plant is not only ecologically significant but also contributes to the agricultural landscape by enhancing soil fertility through its nitrogen-fixing properties. The presence of Trifolium arvense in an ecosystem often indicates healthy soil and a commitment to biodiversity, supporting various forms of wildlife.

Whether admired for its botanical characteristics or appreciated for its environmental contributions, stone clover remains a plant of both interest and importance in the regions it inhabits.

Common Names

Eng: hare’s-foot clover, hare-foot clover, hare-foot trefoil, haresfoot clover, rabbit-foot clover, rabbitfoot clover, stone clover, rabbit’s-foot clover, hairy clover, hare’s foot clover, haresfoot trefoil, old field clover
Cy: Meillion Cedenog, Meillion Cedenog yr Ŷd, Meillionen Gedenog, Troed yr Ysgyfarnog, Meillionen gedennog, Clust yr Ysgyfarnog
Dan: hare-kløver
Deu: hasen-klee
Nor: hare-foot
Nob: harekløver
Nno: harekløver
Swe: harklöver, jänönapila
Nld: hazenpootje
Fin: jänönapila
Cat: peu de llebre
Fra: pied-de-lièvre, trèfle des champs, trèfle pied-de-lièvre, trèfle jaune
Sme: njoammelluovvar
Cym: clust yr ysgyfarnog, meillion cedenog, meillion cedenog yr ŷd, meillionen gedennog, meillionen gedenog, troed yr ysgyfarnog
En: Stone clover, Rabbit-foot clover, Hare-foot clover, Hare-foot trefoil, Rabbitfoot clover, Hare’s-foot Clover, Haresfoot Clover, Rabbit’s-foot clover, Hare’s Foot Clover, Haresfoot Trefoil, Hairy clover, Old field clover
Ar: نفل بري
Hy: Երեքնուկ դաշտային
Az: Tarla yoncası
Be: Канюшына раллявая
Bg: Плевелна детелина
Ca: Peu de llebre
Zh: 兔足三叶草
Kw: Mellyon blewek
Cs: Jetel rolní
Da: Hare-Kløver
Nl: Hazenpootje, Hazepootje
Et: Kassiristik
Fi: Jänönapila
Fr: Trèfle des champs, Pied-de-lièvre, Trèfle Pied-de-lièvre, Trèfle jaune, Pied de lièvre
De: Hasen-Klee, Acker-Klee, Hasenklee
He: תלתן השדה
Hu: Tarlóhere
Is: Hérasmári
Ga: Cos mhaideach
It: Trifoglio arvense
Ja: Shaguma-hagi
Lt: Dirvinis dobilas
Se: Njoammelluovvar
No: Harekløver, Hare-foot
Nb: Harekløver
Nn: Harekløver
Fa: شبدر خودروی
Pl: Koniczyna polna
Pt-br: Trevo-de-rato
Ru: Клевер пашенный
Sr: Пољска детелина
Sk: Ďatelina roľná
Es: Trébol, Pie de liebre, Trébol arvense
Sv: Harklöver, Jänönapila
Tr: Tavşanayağı
Uk: Конюшина польова
Vi: Cỏ ba lá chân thỏ

Synonyms

• Trifolium brachyodon (Čelak.)
• Trifolium brittingeri (Weitenweb. ex Opiz)
• Trifolium pectinatum (Willd. ex Steud.)
• Trifolium arvense var. gracile ((Thuill.) DC.)
• Trifolium arvense var. angustifolium (Lej.)
• Trifolium longisetum (Boiss. & Balansa)
• Trifolium gracile (Thuill.)
• Trifolium arvense subsp. longisetosum ((Boiss. & Balansa) Braun-Blanq.)
• Trifolium arenivagum (Jord. ex Boreau)
• Trifolium arvense var. littorale ((Jord. ex Boreau) Rouy)
• Trifolium arvense subsp. preslianum ((Boiss.) Gibelli & Belli)
• Trifolium sabuletorum (Jord. ex Boreau)
• Trifolium arvense var. sabuletorum ((Jord. ex Boreau) Rouy)
• Trifolium agrestinum subsp. littorale ((Jord.) P.Fourn.)
• Trifolium arvense var. cyrenaicum (Pamp.)
• Trifolium arvense var. longisetum ((Boiss. & Balansa) Boiss.)
• Trifolium eriocephalum (Ledeb.)
• Trifolium arvense var. glabrum (Vis.)
• Trifolium arvense var. maritimum (Rouy)
• Trifolium arvense var. australe (Ten.)
• Trifolium arvense var. crassicaule (Ser.)
• Trifolium arvense var. aetnense (Guss.)
• Trifolium arvense var. perpusillum (Ser.)
• Trifolium arvense var. nanum (Gray)
• Trifolium rubellum (Jord.)
• Trifolium capitellatum var. elatius (Merino)
• Trifolium arvense subsp. gracile ((Thuill.) Nyman)
• Trifolium lagopus (Gouan)
• Trifolium ceretanum (Sennen)
• Trifolium arvense var. latifolium (Panţu)
• Trifolium arvense subsp. agrestinum ((Boreau) Berher)
• Trifolium arvense var. arenivagum ((Jord. ex Boreau) Rouy)
• Trifolium arvicola (Jord. ex Nyman)
• Trifolium agrestinum subsp. lagopinum ((Jord.) P.Fourn.)
• Trifolium arvense var. strictior (W.D.J.Koch)
• Trifolium arvense var. ballii (Murb.)
• Trifolium arvense var. lagopinum ((Jord.) Pit. & Proust)
• Trifolium arvense var. exiguum (Gaudin)
• Trifolium arvense subsp. brittingeri ((Weitenweb. ex Opiz) Rouy)
• Trifolium arvense f. komlodiae (Soó)
• Trifolium arvense var. brachyodon (Čelak.)
• Trifolium arvense subsp. longisetum ((Boiss. & Balansa) Rouy)
• Trifolium littorale (Jord. ex Boreau)
• Trifolium arvense var. preslianum ((Boiss.) Ball)
• Trifolium preslianum (Boiss.)
• Trifolium lagopinum (Jord.)
• Trifolium capitellatum (Pau)
• Trifolium arvense var. capitatum (Ser.)
• Trifolium arvense var. alopecuroides (Rouy)
• Trifolium agrestinum (Jord. ex Boreau)
• Trifolium cyrenaicum ((Pamp.) Maire & Weiller)
• Trifolium villosum (Gilib.)
• Trifolium arvense var. rubellum (Rouy)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• Djibouti (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Altay (introduced)
• Amur (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chatham Is. (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Irkutsk (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Khabarovsk (introduced)
• Krasnoyarsk (introduced)
• Kuril Is. (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Nansei-shoto (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Sakhalin (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

© 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.

Flower

Taken May 20, 2022 by jacoline hensens (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 8, 2017 by Paul van Zantvoort (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2017 by Joppe Rijpstra (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 26, 2021 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 11, 2021 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 21, 2021 by Hana Kuchaříková (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken Aug 26, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2021 by Giode Tonpino (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 25, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2019 by MAHESH MAHESH TANWAR (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2021 by Giode Tonpino (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 8, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2013 by Tela Botanica − George FOWLER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2022 by Petr Harant (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2022 by Lost Duck (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2021 by Giode Tonpino (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 23, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 28, 2021 by Michael Krelle (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken Aug 27, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2020 by f anders (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 14, 2019 by robidema (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5359246)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:522881-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Trifolium arvense L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth