Bolander's clover facts for kids

Trifolium bolanderi is a special type of clover. People often call it Bolander's clover or parasol clover.

Where Does Bolander's Clover Live?

This plant is a perennial herb, which means it lives for many years. It is found only in California. You can find it in the grassy meadows of the central Sierra Nevada mountains.

It grows in forests with cone-bearing trees, both lower and higher up the mountains. It only grows in a few places, like Fresno, Madera, and Mariposa counties.

Bolander's clover is considered a Vulnerable species. This means it is at risk of becoming endangered. Important groups like the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the IUCN are working to protect it. The California Native Plant Society also lists it as a fairly endangered plant.

What Does Bolander's Clover Look Like?

Trifolium bolanderi grows in clumps. It has stems that stand upright. Most of its leaves and stems are smooth, without much hair.

The leaves grow around the bottom of the stem. Each leaf has several oval-shaped leaflets. These leaflets have edges that look like tiny teeth.

The flowers grow in a cluster called an inflorescence. This flower head is about 1 or 2 centimeters wide. The flowers soon droop down, hanging from the head. This makes them look like a small parasol.

Each flower has a dark purple or black sepals, which are like small leaves that protect the flower bud. These dark sepals stand out against the pale pink petals. The petals form a tube shape, just over a centimeter long.