ITP Logo

Trifolium incarnatum

Species category

Agricultural

Common name

crimson 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

OvalOval:
Broadly elliptic.

Size

  • Length 1.5–2 mm
  • Width 1.3–1.8 mm
  • Thickness 0.8–1 mm

Color

Yellow with brown hilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
 to chalaza area

Texture

Smooth to smooth-glossy

Other structures

RadicleRadicle:
The rudimentary root of the embryo, developing into the primary root after emergence from the seed coat.
 lobe compressed against the cotyledonCotyledon:
The modified storage leaf or pair of leaves of an embryo and seedling (see primary leaf).
.

Identification notes

HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
 is located half the distance of the cotyledonCotyledon:
The modified storage leaf or pair of leaves of an embryo and seedling (see primary leaf).
 and is not indented. Seed cross section is round.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Included

Nomenclature

Family

Fabaceae

Valid name

Trifolium incarnatum L.

Synonyms

Trifolium incarnatum L. var. elatius Gibelli & Belli

Trifolium incarnatum. True seeds with the radicle lobe compressed against the cotyledon. 
Trifolium incarnatum. True seeds with the radicle lobe compressed against the cotyledon. 
Trifolium incarnatum. True seeds with the hilum located half the distance of the cotyledon and isn't indented. Photo courtesy of Colorado State University, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences.
Trifolium incarnatum. True seeds with the hilum located half the distance of the cotyledon and isn't indented. Photo courtesy of Colorado State University, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences.