RED CLOVER
Trzfohum pretense
COMMON NAMES: Purple clover, trefoil, cleaver grass, cow grass.
FEATURES: True clover, plants of the genus Trifolium, family Leguminosae, number about 250 species. It
is believed that the true clovers originated in southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia Minor, although
more than eighty species are listed as indigenous to North America. The clovers are herbaceous annuals
or perennials, depending on insect pests or climatic conditions.
Red clover is an upright perennial 18–36 inches in height that behaves as a biennial under most Eastern
conditions. The colors of the flowers of the many species include white, pink, purple, red, yellow, and
combinations of shades thereof. The flowers are borne on conspicuous heads, with 55–200 florets for
such species as red clover. The leaves, composed of three leaflets, grow on alternate sides of the stem.
The leaflets themselves are broad, oval, pointed, and frequently show a white spot. The hairy stem
supports the generous numbers of separate blossoms at the end of the flower stalk.
Common in pastures, lawns, roadsides, and meadows throughout the United States and Canada.
Harvesting varies, depending on the species. Agriculturally they are classified as winter annuals.
MEDICINAL PARTS: Blossoms, leaves.
SOLVENTS: Boiling water, alcohol.
BODILY INFLUENCE: Alterative, sedative, deobstruent.
USES: A quote from herbalists of the past: “The likelihood is that whatever virtue the Red Clover can
boast for counteracting a scrofulous disposition and as antidote to cancer, resides in its highly elaborated
lime, silica and other earthy salts.” It is not recognized, however, by the orthodox medical profession as
being of use. It possesses very soothing and pleasant-tasting properties and promotes healthy granulation.
Admirable for malignant ulcers, scrofula, indolent sores, burns, whooping cough, and various spasm,