Trifolium hirtum

Trifolium hirtum_rose clover_JM DiTomaso
Photo: Joseph DiTomaso

Common names: rose clover

Trifolium hirtum (rose clover) is an annual forb/herb (family Fabaceae) commonly found in California, blanketing dry rangelands. Rose clover out competes indigenous clover and native grasses and can tolerate dryer soils and frost. It was intentionally introduced as grassland forage and in most rangeland systems is not considered weedy. However, in wildlands, it can out-compete native clovers.

Cal-IPC Rating: Limited?

CDFA Rating: None?

Assessment(s)

Plant Assessment Form - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.

Weed Management Notes

  • Management Notes - Information on management techniques and effectiveness from the University of California Cooperative Extension’s Weed Research & Information Center.

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

Other Trifolium hirtum Information

  • CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
  • Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
  • CalWeedMapper - Distribution map of this species in California with ability to determine regional priorities.
  • EDDMapS - Distribution of this species in North America.
  • Jepson Interchange - Information on this plant's taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
  • USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.
  • Additional photos

    Trifolium hirtum_fruit_copyright2008_NealKramer
    Trifolium hirtum (rose clover) fruit. Photo: (c) 2008 Neal Kramer
    Trifolium hirtum_inflorescence_copyright2009_NealKramer
    Trifolium hirtum (rose clover) inflorescence. Photo: (c) 2009 Neal Kramer
    Trifolium hirtum_infestation_copyright2008_NealKramer
    Trifolium hirtum (rose clover) infestation. Photo: (c) 2008 Neal Kramer