Wild Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) or more commonly known as red clover by many, is grown as a pasture cromp for forageing with hay and green manure, and is reported to be an excellent plant for most livestock and poultry. Wild Red Clover is often used as it is a nitrogen fixer and has been used in the crop rotation system to help enrich the soil between use. It is often planted in pastures with grass, or fed to animals as hay and silage. It is also good as it suppresses weeds and also helps to boosts nitrogen levels in the soil while the root system improves the overall structure of the soil.
The flowers are bee-pollinated and a seed crop can be harvested 25 to 30 days after full bloom by which time the flower heads have turned black. Wild Red clover has been widely used in folk medicine for a range of confitions from athlete’s foot to constimation as the extract from the plant is believed to have medicinal properties and can be used for cancerous ulcers and corns and its extract is often place in herbal tablets which are taken by women during and after the menopause.
Height: 20 – 80cm
Flowering Time: June to August
Preferred Conditions: Common on acidic grounds and damp wet soil. This plant is intolerant to high levels of nitrogen.
