| Trifolium alpinum | |
|---|---|
| |
| Conservation status | |
 Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Trifolium |
| Species: | T. alpinum |
| Binomial name | |
| Trifolium alpinum L. | |
Trifolium alpinum is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name alpine clover. It is native to the Alps.
This plant is a perennial herb with a large taproot which can be 1 metre long and 1 centimetre wide. The short stems bear ternate leaves divided into three leaflets each up to 5 cm long. The fragrant flowers are pink to light red, tinged with purple.
This plant grows at elevations between 1700 and 2500 m, sometimes up to 2800 m, in subalpine and alpine climates. It commonly grows on acidic soils.
In alpine regions this plant provides an important forage for livestock. It is also good for stabilizing sites of erosion at high elevations.
References
- Chadburn, H. (2014). "Trifolium alpinum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T203355A2764331. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-2.RLTS.T203355A2764331.en. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- NRCS. "Trifolium alpinum". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 15 December 2015.
- ^ Site specific grasses and herbs: Trifolium alpinum. FAO.
- Codignola, A., et al. (1985). Preliminary studies on the photosynthetic structures of Trifolium alpinum L. as related to productivity. Ann Bot 55(4) 509-23.
- Lauga, B., et al. (2009). Two lineages of Trifolium alpinum (Fabaceae) in the Pyrenees: evidence from random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Acta Botanica Gallica 156(3) 317-30.
- Peratoner, G., et al. (2007). Growth of Trifolium alpinum: Effects of soil properties, symbionts and pathogens. Ecological Engineering 30(4) 349–355.
| Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Trifolium alpinum |
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