Trifolium repens

Species category

Agricultural

Common name

white clover, Dutch clover, ladino clover, white Dutch clover

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

Heart shaped to "human" heart-shaped

Size

  • Length 1–1.4 mm
  • Width 1–1.2 mm
  • Thickness 0.4–0.6 mm

Color

Yellow to light brown

Texture

Smooth

Other structures

RadicleRadicle:
The rudimentary root of the embryo, developing into the primary root after emergence from the seed coat.
lobe is approx. same length as cotyledonCotyledon:
The modified storage leaf or pair of leaves of an embryo and seedling (see primary leaf).
lobe. Sometimes radicleRadicle:
The rudimentary root of the embryo, developing into the primary root after emergence from the seed coat.
diverges slightly while in other seeds it is appressedAppressed:
Pressed close or lying flat against something.
.

Identification notes

RadicleRadicle:
The rudimentary root of the embryo, developing into the primary root after emergence from the seed coat.
lobe is approximately the same length as the cotyledonCotyledon:
The modified storage leaf or pair of leaves of an embryo and seedling (see primary leaf).
lobe, and is divergent leaving a depression for the hilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
. There is no flecking. Seeds are laterally compressed.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Included

More information

For more information, see ISMA fact sheet.

Nomenclature

Family

Fabaceae

Valid name

Trifolium repens L.

Synonyms

Trifolium repens L. var. atropurpureum hort.

 Trifolium repens.  True seeds with the radicle lobe approximately the same length as the cotyledon lobe and diverging, leaving a depression for the hilum.
Trifolium repens. True seeds with the radicle lobe approximately the same length as the cotyledon lobe and diverging, leaving a depression for the hilum.
 Trifolium repens.  True seeds with no flecking. Photo courtesy of Colorado State University, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences.
Trifolium repens. True seeds with no flecking. Photo courtesy of Colorado State University, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences.