Egyptian clover

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Egyptian clover
• berseem clover

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Trifolium alexandrinum var. madarensae
• Trifolium alexandrinum var. serotinum
• Trifolium alexandrinum subsp. serotinum
• Trifolium albiceps

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Trifolium alexandrinum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Trifolium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution spanning across several regions of Europe. In Northern Europe, its presence is documented within Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species can be found inhabiting the landscapes of Austria. It also grows across the territories of Germany and the Czech-Slovakia region. Finally, the distribution extends further into Middle Europe to include Hungary.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Trifolium alexandrinum is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it survives the unfavorable seasons primarily in the form of seeds, which remain dormant until environmental conditions become conducive to growth. This life form strategy allows the species to rapidly exploit available resources during its brief period of activity before returning to a seed state to await the next favorable cycle.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Trifolium alexandrinum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This terrestrial species is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber or liana, and it functions as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a mean height of 0.46 m, with individual specimens ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum height of 0.7 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.7 m

Plant height mean:

0.46 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Trifolium alexandrinum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic strategy typical of many legumes that optimizes carbon fixation under moderate environmental conditions. As a non-carnivorous species, the plant relies entirely on its root system and soil nutrients for sustenance rather than capturing prey. Its vegetative structure exhibits specific morphological parameters, particularly regarding its foliage; the leaves possess a length that ranges from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 5 cm, while the leaf width is constrained between a minimum of 0.6 cm and a maximum of 1.5 cm.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

5 cm

Leaf length min:

1.5 cm

Leaf width max:

1.5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.6 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Trifolium alexandrinum is primarily sexual, characterized by bisexual flowers that facilitate genetic diversity. The plant exhibits a highly flexible flowering period, with the flowering cycle starting around December and remaining variable throughout the months of January through November. Pollination is achieved through a biotic syndrome, specifically relying on insects, with bees serving as a key pollinator. Notably, self-fertilization is absent in this species, necessitating external pollination agents. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops fruit in the form of a capsule that is dehiscent, meaning it opens at maturity to release its seeds. The seed production is prolific, with each fruit containing between 101 and 1000 seeds. These seeds are quite small, possessing a minimum mass of 0.00125 g, a maximum mass of 0.0034 g, and a mean mass of approximately 0.00247 g. Seed dispersal is characterized by an unspecialized syndrome, though it also demonstrates anthropochorous tendencies, indicating that human activity plays a role in its movement. Asexual reproduction is absent in this species.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flowering time :

Dec

Flowering time :

variable

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.0034 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00247233333333333 g

Seed mass min:

0.00125 g

Seeds_per_fruit :

101-1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Trifolium alexandrinum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Trifolium alexandrinum has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Isoflavones, Saponins, genistein.

Flavonoids

1. Molecular and cellular biochemistry

Isoflavones

1. Molecular and cellular biochemistry

Saponins

1. Phytochemistry

genistein

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Trifolium alexandrinum has 72 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Abortifacient, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Antiaggregant.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecular and cellular biochemistry

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Antiaggregant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiangiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiatherosclerotic

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer (Breast)

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic (Breast)

1. Dr. Duke

Anticlimacteric

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations

Trifolium alexandrinum has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include seeds.

Seeds

1. Phytochemistry