Jim's clover facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jim's clover |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Trifolium
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| Species: |
jokerstii
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Trifolium jokerstii is a very rare type of clover. People often call it Jim's clover or Butte County golden clover. This special plant is only found in Butte County, California, near a town called Oroville. It grows in places that get wet during certain times of the year, like vernal pools (temporary ponds), pastures, and small creeks.
About Jim's Clover
Jim's clover was first thought to be a different kind of clover, Trifolium barbigerum. That clover usually has purple or pink flowers. But Jim's clover had yellow flowers, which made it stand out. In 1998, scientists decided it was unique enough to be its own species. They named it after a California plant expert, Jim Jokerst.
What Does It Look Like?
Jim's clover is an annual herb. This means it grows from a seed, flowers, produces new seeds, and then dies all within one year. Its stem can either lie flat on the ground or stand straight up. The stem does not have any hairs.
The leaves of Jim's clover are oval-shaped. They can grow up to about 3 centimeters long. Each leaf often has a white or purplish mark that looks like a "V" or a chevron. At the base of each leaf, there are large, pointed parts called stipules. These stipules have small teeth along their edges.
Its Flowers
The flowers of Jim's clover grow in a group called an inflorescence. This group looks like a small head. Each head has at least five bright golden yellow flowers. These flowers sit on a bowl-shaped base made of small leaf-like parts called bracts.
Where Does It Live?
This rare clover needs special places to grow. It likes habitats that are wet for part of the year. You can find it in vernal pools, which are shallow pools that fill with water in the rainy season and dry up later. It also grows in grassy fields (pastures) and small creeks that only have water at certain times.
