The Subterranean Clover

Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) or subterranean clover is an annual plant belonging to the Fabaceae family (Leguminosae). The species is on the Dutch Red List of plants as very rare and moderately decreased in number. The name of the plant refers to the fact that the seeds beneath the soil development, unlike other clovers. The plant has 2n = 12 or 16 chromosomes. Subterranean clover is native to the Mediterranean and in Western Europe and has spread from there to Australia and North and South America.

The plant is 5-25 cm high. The hairy stem is soft or has been rising and is 10-30 cm long. The inverted heart-shaped, 0.8 to 1.2 cm long leaflets are hairy. The stipules are ovate.

Subterranean clover blossoms from April to June with pink stripes, white, 2-3 cm flowers. Petals fall after flowering. The inflorescence consists of two to seven fertile flowers inside undeveloped, barren and petal-less flowers that grow after flowering and then curves outwards, making the back curved fruit cups covered. After flowering, the peduncle bends itself to the ground and penetrate the fruit to 1.5 cm into the ground. The tentacle-like spikes on the back curved fruit cups provide anchorage, where they are in the ground yet and it curves up. The seeds mature in the ground.

The fruit is shorter than the calyx, and a pod with one, lenticular, black, 2.5 mm seed.

Subterranean clover is found in dry, moderately fertile, sandy soil on the embankment slopes and grassland along the coast.

Subterranean clover in Australia include used as cattle feed.



Source: http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onderaardse_klaver

See also: International Flower Delivery, Florist