haresfoot clover

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• hairy clover
• hare's-foot clover
• old field clover
• rabbit's-foot clover
• rabbit-foot clover
• stone clover
• Hare's Foot Clover
• Haresfoot Trefoil
• hare-foot clover
• hare-foot trefoil

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Trifolium arvense var. strictior
• Trifolium agrestinum subsp. lagopinum
• Trifolium arvense proles agrestinum
• Trifolium arvense subsp. agrestinum
• Trifolium arvense var. sabuletorum
• Trifolium arvense var. nanum
• Trifolium ceretanum
• Trifolium arvense f. komlodiae
• Trifolium rubellum
• Trifolium arvense var. glabrum
• Trifolium arvense var. australe
• Trifolium arvense var. ballii
• Trifolium arvense var. cyrenaicum
• Trifolium arvense var. exiguum
• Trifolium arvense var. lagopinum
• Trifolium arvense var. longisetum
• Trifolium arvense var. gracile
• Trifolium arvense var. preslianum
• Trifolium brittingeri
• Trifolium capitellatum var. elatius
• Trifolium arenivagum
• Trifolium arvense var. alopecuroides
• Trifolium arvense subsp. brittingeri
• Trifolium agrestinum
• Trifolium arvense var. maritimum
• Trifolium preslianum
• Trifolium arvense subsp. longisetum
• Trifolium arvense var. aetnense
• Trifolium sabuletorum
• Trifolium arvense var. brachyodon
• Trifolium arvense var. crassicaule
• Trifolium arvense var. capitatum
• Trifolium capitellatum
• Trifolium arvense var. perpusillum
• Trifolium cyrenaicum
• Trifolium arvense subsp. preslianum
• Trifolium gracile
• Trifolium arvense var. arenivagum
• Trifolium arvense var. littorale
• Trifolium arvense var. rubellum
• Trifolium littorale
• Trifolium longisetum
• Trifolium arvense proles brittingeri
• Trifolium arvense proles gracile
• Trifolium arvense proles longisetosum
• Trifolium arvense var. angustifolium
• Trifolium arvense subsp. gracile
• Trifolium arvense var. latifolium
• Trifolium arvense subsp. longisetosum
• Trifolium agrestinum subsp. littorale
• Trifolium arvense var. agrestinum
• Trifolium arvense var. pulchellum
• Trifolium arvense f. pulchellum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as trifolium arvense, exhibits a specific presence across several regions of Northern Europe. Its distribution can be traced throughout the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. In the more northern reaches, it is also found growing within the borders of Finland. The species extends its range westward to include the landscapes of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, its geographical footprint reaches into the rugged terrains of Norway.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Trifolium arvense is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal spectrum, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to elevations of 2000 m AMSL. It is highly adaptable to diverse environmental conditions, frequently colonizing disturbed or open landscapes such as crop fields and meadows. The species demonstrates a preference for varied substrates, showing resilience in dry environments, sandy soils, and stony places, as well as occupying mountainous terrains.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields, meadows: dry, mountains, sand, stony places

Genetics

The genetics of Trifolium arvense are characterized by a notable degree of chromosomal variation and polyploidy within its populations. The species exhibits distinct cytogenetic profiles, most notably documented through chromosome numbers of 14 and 16. This variation in the diploid number suggests a complex evolutionary history involving chromosomal rearrangements or varying levels of ploidy that contribute to the plant's genetic diversity. Such chromosomal plasticity is a significant feature of its genomic architecture, influencing its ability to adapt to diverse ecological niches.

Chromosome number :

14, 16

Life history

The life history of Trifolium arvense is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire biological cycle—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 conditions are optimal for growth. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal progression. Its biological strategy is defined by this rapid, single-season development, ensuring that it can effectively exploit temporary environmental resources before completing its reproductive phase.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Trifolium arvense is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, exhibiting a predominantly terrestrial lifestyle. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a climber or a parasite, maintaining an independent biological existence. The shoots are characterized by an erect orientation, allowing the plant to grow upright from the ground. In terms of stature, the plant is relatively small, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 0.5 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 0.1485 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.1485 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Trifolium arvense is characterized by its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies on traditional nutrient uptake through its root system, a process enhanced by its capacity for nitrogen fixation, allowing it to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form. The plant's foliage displays specific morphological parameters, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 2.7 cm, and leaf widths varying between 0.2 cm and 0.7 cm, resulting in a mean leaf size of 2.33 cm². Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 182.06 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass per area and its physiological strategy for balancing light interception with water-use efficiency.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

2.7 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf size mean:

2.33 cm²

Leaf width max:

0.7 cm

Leaf width min:

0.2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

182.06 cm²/g

Reproduction

Reproduction in Trifolium arvense is achieved through sexual processes, as the plant is bisexual but lacks asexual reproduction capabilities. The flowering period typically begins in May and extends through August, characterized by pink-colored flowers arranged in inflorescences that range from a minimum length of 0.006 m to a maximum of 0.032 m. The pollination syndrome is biotic, specifically relying on insects and bees to facilitate fertilization, as self-fertilization is noted to be absent. Following successful pollination, the plant produces dry, dehiscence-type fruit in the form of capsules. These capsules are relatively small, with a mean length of 0.2 cm and a mean width of 0.2 cm. Within these fruits, the seed yield is high, with a count ranging between 101 and 1000 seeds per fruit. The seeds themselves are minute, possessing a mean length of 0.8 mm (ranging from 0.8 to 1 mm), a mean width of 1 mm, and a mean volume of 0.21 mm³. The seed mass is quite low, averaging approximately 0.00039063 g, with a minimum of 0.00027 g and a maximum of 0.001322 g. Dispersal is primarily zoochorous, specifically utilizing an epizoochorous strategy to spread the seeds.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

epizoochorous

Flower colour :

pink

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length mean:

0.2 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width mean:

0.2 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.032 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.006 m

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length max:

1 mm

Seed length mean:

0.8 mm

Seed mass max:

0.001322 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000390631666666667 g

Seed mass min:

0.00027 g

Seed volume max:

0.21 mm³

Seed width mean:

1 mm

Seeds_per_fruit :

101-1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Trifolium arvense has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include deltamethrin.

deltamethrin

1. Journal of environmental science and health. Part. B, Pesticides, food contaminants, and agricultural wastes