alsike clover

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• alsike clover
• Swedish clover
• hybrid clover

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Amoria hybrida

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls into the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Trifolium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern concentrated across the northern regions of Europe. Its presence is well-documented throughout Northern Europe, including Denmark and Finland. Furthermore, the species can be found inhabiting the islands of the Faroe Islands. The geographical reach of this plant also extends to the coastal landscapes of Great Britain. Finally, its range encompasses the lush territories of Ireland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Trifolium hybridum is characterized by its adaptability to diverse landscapes, ranging from lowland areas to higher altitudes. It thrives in various habitats, most notably within crop fields, meadows, and shrubberies, and shows a particular affinity for wet meadows. In terms of altitudinal distribution, the species exhibits a broad vertical range, starting from sea level (0 m AMSL) and reaching a maximum elevation of 1750 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range centered around 2600 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1750 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields, meadows, meadows: wet, shrubberies

Genetics

The genetics of Trifolium hybridum are characterized by a complex chromosomal makeup that reflects its evolutionary history and polyploid nature. The species exhibits variability in its genome, specifically demonstrating different chromosome numbers including 16 and 32. This variation indicates the presence of both diploid and tetraploid lineages within the species, a common genetic phenomenon in the Trifolium genus that facilitates adaptation and evolutionary divergence. These distinct chromosomal configurations play a critical role in the plant's genetic architecture, influencing its reproductive stability and phenotypic plasticity.

Chromosome number :

16, 32

Life history

The life history of Trifolium hybridum is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, which provides protection during unfavorable environmental conditions. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Trifolium hybridum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This terrestrial plant exhibits an ascending shoot orientation and is a self-supporting species rather than a climber or vine. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. The plant's stature is relatively low, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.9 m, maintaining a mean plant height of approximately 0.42 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.9 m

Plant height mean:

0.42 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Shoot orientation :

ascending

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Trifolium hybridum is characterized by a 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, which is further enhanced by its ability to function as a nitrogen fixer. The morphological dimensions of its foliage vary significantly, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 7.8 cm, while leaf widths fluctuate between 1 cm and 1.8 cm. These dimensions contribute to a mean leaf size of approximately 16.7595 cm². Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 249.03 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass per area and its physiological strategy for light interception and resource allocation.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

7.8 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf size mean:

16.7595 cm²

Leaf width max:

1.8 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

249.03 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Trifolium hybridum is characterized by a sexual process, as asexual reproduction is notably absent. The flowering period typically commences in May and extends through September. The pollination process is biotic in nature, specifically utilizing an insect syndrome with a strong reliance on bees. Interestingly, self-fertilization is absent in this species, necessitating cross-pollination. Following fertilization, the plant develops dry, dehiscent fruits in the form of capsules, which have an average length of 0.4 cm. The resulting seeds are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.000755341 g (ranging from 0.0006 g to 0.00113 g) and a consistent mean width of 1.25 mm. The seed volume is uniform at approximately 0.57 mm³. Dispersal of the seeds is classified as unspecialized, meaning the plant does not rely on highly specific mechanisms for the movement of its offspring.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length mean:

0.4 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00113 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000755341 g

Seed mass min:

6e-04 g

Seed volume max:

0.57 mm³

Seed width mean:

1.25 mm

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Trifolium hybridum has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Isoflavones, Rhamnetin, benzoic acid, genistein.

Flavonoids

1. Molecular and cellular biochemistry

Isoflavones

1. Molecular and cellular biochemistry

Rhamnetin

1. Scientific reports

benzoic acid

1. Scientific reports

genistein

1. Dr. Duke

myricetin

1. Scientific reports

p-coumaric acid

1. Scientific reports

rosmarinic acid

1. Scientific reports

Activities

Trifolium hybridum has 73 reported activities identified across 0 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

Antibiotic

1. Scientific reports

Anticancer (Breast)

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic (Breast)

1. Dr. Duke