Wild Wednesday - Red Clover | Latest news

Red clover, scientific name, Trifolium pratense, part of the legume family, is a common plant found in all kinds of grassy areas in the UK, from lawns to fields, meadows, roadsides and waste ground.

An herbaceous perennial (a plant whose growth dies down annually but whose roots survive) with round pinkish-purple flower heads and trifoliate leaves (three-part leaves), which may have a pale crescent or "V" mark.

The leaves are collected by wood mice and the flowers, which appear from May to October, are sought after by all kinds of bumblebees for their nectar.

It is sown as a fodder crop for livestock and has long been used in crop rotation systems because of its ability to fix nitrogen, enriching soils. 

You may see it on your lawn - it often moves into areas with poor soil and will heal soil that's nitrogen-deficient. The clover takes nitrogen from the air, converts it to a plant-friendly form, and releases it into the soil - and there you have it, beautiful grass!

It is a wildflower, not a weed, and ideal for flower-rich lawns and meadows. Their flowers attract butterflies, moths, and hoverflies and are a valuable source of nectar for bees.

Traditionally used in herbal medicine (e.g., for coughs, skin conditions, and menopause symptoms). It contains isoflavones, which is a plant-based estrogen.

Read more here: Red clover | The Wildlife Trusts