Crimson clover facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Crimson clover
Scientific classification
Genus:	Trifolium
Species:	incarnatum

Trifolium incarnatum, often called crimson clover or Italian clover, is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the Fabaceae family, which includes peas and beans. This plant originally grew in most parts of Europe. Today, you can find it in many other places, like the United States and Japan.

Crimson clover is an annual herb, meaning it lives for about one year. It usually grows to be about 20–50 cm (8-20 inches) tall. Its leaves have three leaflets, which are small, hairy, and shaped a bit like a heart. The plant's bright red or crimson flowers appear in spring and summer. They grow in a tall, spike-like cluster, making them look like a colorful candle.

What is Crimson Clover Used For?

Crimson clover growing in Hyogo, Japan

Crimson clover is very useful in farming. Farmers often plant it as a "cover crop." This means it covers the soil and helps it stay healthy. It's special because it can add a nutrient called nitrogen to the soil. This happens with the help of tiny bacteria called Rhizobia. Nitrogen is super important for other plants to grow well.

This plant is also a great food source for farm animals. It's packed with protein and is often fed to cattle and other livestock. Farmers can even turn it into hay for winter feeding. Besides farms, crimson clover is sometimes planted along roadsides. It helps stop the soil from washing away, which is called erosion control. Plus, its bright red flowers make the area look very pretty!

Can You Eat Crimson Clover?

Yes, you can eat parts of the crimson clover plant! Both its flowers and sprouts are edible. The sprouts look and taste a bit like alfalfa sprouts. You can add them to salads, sandwiches, or other dishes. Some people even make tisanes (herbal teas) from the dried flowers. You can also dry the plant and grind it into flour.

Crimson clover sprouts are quite healthy. For example, 100 grams of sprouts have about 23 calories. They also provide protein and fiber. They are a good source of vitamin K and some vitamin C. Like all raw sprouts, it's important to make sure they are clean. Many places that sell sprouts test them to make sure they are safe to eat.

How Does Crimson Clover Grow?

Crimson clover grows differently depending on the weather. In places with mild winters, like parts of California, it acts like a "winter annual." This means its seeds sprout in the late summer or fall when the first rains come. The plants then grow slowly through the winter. In late spring, they burst into full bloom.

In areas with dry summers, the plants usually die after they produce their seeds. But if there's enough moisture in the summer, they might keep growing and flowering. Sometimes, they can even live for more than one year!

Planting Crimson Clover

Farmers plant crimson clover seeds soon after harvesting a grain crop. They usually spread about 20–22 kg of seeds per hectare (about 18-20 pounds per acre). It often grows best when the soil is only lightly disturbed, rather than deeply plowed. The plant grows quickly in the spring, producing lots of green leaves. However, you can usually only cut it once, as it doesn't grow back after being mown.

Images for kids

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  Sprouts of crimson clover being sold in a grocery store

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  A conservationist in a field of crimson clover in 1952

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  Farming of germinated plants

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  A clover farm in St. Paul, Oregon, USA, in May 2022

See also

In Spanish: Trébol encarnado para niños