Family: Fabaceae
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
