SPECIES DESCRIPTION
TRIFOLIUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM
Family and Genus:- See- LEGUMINOSAE/Subgen. TRIFOLIUM/Sect.
Common Names:- Narrow-leaved clover
Homotypic Synonyms:- Triphylloides angustifolia.
Meaning:- Trifolium (L) With three leaflets.
Angustifolium (L) Narrow leaved.
General description:- Annual, often branched from the base.
Stems:-
1) 10-30 cm, appressed-pubescent, ascending to erect.
Leaves:-
1) Leaflets, (10-)20-80 x (1-)2-4 mm, linear-lanceolate, obtuse in the lower leaves,
acute in the upper.
2) Stipules, lower part of the sheathing, whitish with prominent green veins, free part
narrowly lanceolate-subulate.
Flowers:-
1) Heads, terminal, (15-)20-80 mm, solitary, narrowly ovoid to cylindrical.
2) Peduncles, (10-)20-40(-60) mm.
3) Calyx, 10-veined, with straight, erecto-patent hairs.
a) throat, at maturity closed by a bilabiate callosity.
b) teeth, subequal, linear or subulate, finally patent, ciliate, the apex glabrous or
with a few short hairs
4) Corolla, 10-12 mm, equalling or slightly exceeding the calyx, pinkish-purple.
Fruit:-
1) Legume, nearly always included in the calyx-tube, 1- to 2-seeded.
Key features:-
1) Heads, (15-)20-80 mm, one or few, usually terminal.
2) Calyx-throat, at maturity narrowed to a vertical slit by a bilabiate callosity.
3) Corolla, 10-12 mm, not or scarcely exceeding the calyx.
Habitat:- Open shrubby ground, cultivated and waste ground, dry open woodland,
fields and vineyards, on non-calcareous soils. 0-800(-1200) m.
Distribution:- Common throughout Greece. - Widespread in the Mediterranean
region, SC Europe and SW Asia. Widespread and common on Crete.
Flowering time:- Apr-July.
Photos by:- Steve Lenton
