Family: Fabaceae
Trifolium resupinatum (reversed clover, Persian clover) is an annual clover native to central and southern Europe, the Mediterranean, and southwest Asia. It serves as a vital hay crop in cold regions, including Iran, Afghanistan, and other areas in Asia with cold winters. It is reported to be naturalized widely elsewhere, including on Hawaiʻi Island. Trifolium resupinatum’s invasive potential is driven by its broad climate adaptability, thriving in tropical regions and spreading widely. It forms dense swards, competing with desirable vegetation, and its prolific reproduction through self-fertilization and seed dispersal contributes to its invasiveness.
High Risk Traits:
- Broad climate suitability
- Can grow, and potentially spread, in regions with tropical climates
- Sparingly naturalized on Hawaii island, widely naturalize elsewhere
- Weed of lawns roadsides and disturbed areas
- Occasional weed of crops (impacts ambiguous)
- Other Trifolium species are invasive weeds
- Potentially allelopathic
- May be mildly toxic to livestock under certain conditions
- Tolerates many soil types (not substrate limited)
- Forms dense swards (could compete with other desirable vegetation)
- Reproduces by seeds
- Self-fertile and self-pollination
- An annual, reaching maturity in <1 year
- Seeds dispersed internally by animals and through agricultural activities (i.e. potential soil and seed contaminant)
- Tolerates cutting and grazing
Low Risk Traits:
- Despite naturalization and reports of weediness, generally not regarded as a problematic agricultural or environmental weed in the Hawaiian Islands
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
- Provides fodder for livestock
- Ornamental
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- Herbicides may provide effective control if removal is desired
