Family: Fabaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
White clover (Trifolium repens) is a low-growing, perennial legume native to Europe, parts of North Africa, Macaronesia, and temperate regions extending east to Mongolia and the Himalayas. It forms creeping mats by spreading stems that root at the nodes and is easily recognized by its three leaflets, often marked with a pale crescent, and its round clusters of white to pinkish-white flowers. White clover has been introduced around the world as a valuable pasture and forage plant because it improves soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, provides high-quality livestock forage, supports pollinators, and is commonly included in lawn seed mixes as a low-maintenance groundcover. In Hawaiʻi, it was first collected on Hawaiʻi Island in 1909 and is now naturalized in pastures, lawns, roadsides, and trails, with established populations on Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island and reports of potential naturalization on Kauaʻi and Lānaʻi.

Risks & Threats
White clover is naturalized in Hawaiʻi and possesses traits that are cause for concern. Its creeping growth habit, abundant seed production, ability to spread vegetatively, and tolerance of frequent mowing and grazing allow it to persist and expand into disturbed habitats. As a nitrogen-fixing species, it can also alter soil nutrient levels, potentially favoring other introduced plants and changing the composition of native plant communities. While it is most commonly associated with managed landscapes and agricultural areas, it has the potential to spread into natural ecosystems, particularly disturbed sites. Because of these characteristics, white clover could detrimentally impact tropical island ecosystems. Where practical, choose a low-risk or native alternative for lawns, groundcovers, or forage plantings. Since white clover is already widespread in parts of Hawaiʻi, avoid planting it in or near natural areas and manage existing populations where feasible to help minimize further spread into areas where it is not yet widely established.

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Naturalized in regions with subtropical climates (esp. at higher elevations)
  
• Widely naturalized worldwide, including Kauai, Lanai, Maui and Hawaii (Hawaiian Islands)
  
• Weed in turf, sports surfaces, lawns, along roadsides and other disturbed sites
  
• Minor crop weed
  
• Environmental weed in parts of Australia
  
• Other Trifolium species are invasive weeds
  
• Palatable to animals, but potentially toxic if consumed in large quantities
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by stolons
  
• Seeds dispersed by internally birds and other animals, externally by animals and humans, by water and intentionally planted by people
  
• Seeds may be a contaminant in other seed mixes
  
• Some seeds may persist in the soil for 4-5 years

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Provides fodder for livestock (palatable despite potential toxicity)
  
• Thrives in high light environments (may limit spread to densely shaded areas)
  
• Adds nitrogen to the soil (beneficial to other plants)
  
• Mostly self-incompatible
  
• Herbicides provide effective control
  
• Frequent mowing and fire may suppress or control reestablishment