Alsike clover

LeguminosaeTrifolium hybridum L.

Alsike clover is believeed native to northerrn Europe. It was introduced into the United States about 1839 and is now mainly grown in states bordering on the Great Lakes, in northerrn California and in Oregon. Its special merit is its adaptation to wet soils, even tolerating some flooding. It is more tolerant to both acid and alkaline soils than other clovers. The stems are quite slender, up to 3 feet long, and tend to be prostrate except in dense stands. The trifoliate leaves are long stemmed with obovate leaflets. Flower heads are not at the terminal of the main stem but are at the terminals of branch stems. They are white or pink in color. Both stems and leaves are smooth. Alsike clover is valuable both for pasture and hay on soils too wet or too acid for other clovers.