CRIMSON CLOVER
LEAFLET No. 160
U.S.DEPARTMENT of AGRICULTURE

[Pg 1]

Contents

[Pg 2]

Issued June 1938.

CRIMSON CLOVER

By E. A. Hollowell, senior agronomist, Division of Forage Crops and Diseases,Bureau of Plant Industry

Growth and Distribution

Crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) is the most importantwinter annual legume of the central section of the Eastern States(fig. 1). Besides being an excellent hay plant and furnishing anabundance of early spring pasture, it affords protection to the soilduring the fall, winter, and spring, prevents soil washing, and providesgreen manure for soil improvement. This legume has the distinctadvantage of being a heavy producer of seed, which can beeasily harvested and sown without the use of expensive machinery.

Figure 1.—Principal crimson clover region of the United States.

Crimson clover is a native of Europe and is widely grown in France,Hungary, and other central and southern European countries. Seedwas introduced into this country as early as 1819, but it was not until1880 that the plant became of agricultural importance. During thelast 6 years the annual commercial consumption of seed in the UnitedStates has ranged from 2 to 4 million pounds. In addition, largequantities of home-grown seed are used and handled from farm tofarm.

The common name of this clover is derived from the distinctivebright crimson color of the blossoms. Other common names, suchas German clover and scarlet clover, are frequently heard in differentlocalities. In general the leaves and stems of crimson clover resemblered clover, but are distinguished by the rounding of the tips of theleaves and a greater covering of hair on both leaves and steins. Whenit is planted in the fall the leaves develop from the crown and form arosette, which enlarges whenever weather conditions are favorable.In late spring flower stems develop rapidly and terminate their growthwith elongated flower heads. Seed forms and the plant dies with...