Woollyhead clover facts for kids

Trifolium eriocephalum is a type of clover often called woollyhead clover or hairy head clover. This plant gets its name from its fuzzy flower heads. It's a common and interesting plant found in different parts of North America.

Where Does Woollyhead Clover Grow?

Woollyhead clover is a plant that naturally grows in the Northwestern United States. You can also find it in states like California, Nevada, and Utah.

This clover is quite common in many different natural areas. It likes places such as Coast redwood forests, open coastal grasslands called coastal prairies, and forests with a mix of evergreen trees. It also thrives in yellow pine forests.

What Does Woollyhead Clover Look Like?

Trifolium eriocephalum is a plant that lives for many years, which means it's a perennial. It has a hairy stem that grows straight up and doesn't branch out. Its leaves are made up of several small, oval-shaped leaflets. Each leaflet can grow up to about 4 centimeters (about 1.5 inches) long.

The Flowers of Woollyhead Clover

The flowers of this clover grow in a cluster called an inflorescence. This flower head can be up to 3 centimeters (about 1.2 inches) long. The individual flowers spread out and then often droop downwards. Each flower has a fuzzy, tube-shaped part called a calyx, which is made of sepals. These sepals have long, narrow parts that might bend outwards. The flower's petals, known as the corolla, are usually white or yellowish. They can grow up to 1.4 centimeters (about 0.5 inches) long.

Different Types of Woollyhead Clover

Within the Trifolium eriocephalum species, there are slightly different versions called subspecies. These are like close relatives that have adapted to specific areas.

• Trifolium eriocephalum ssp. cusickii — This subspecies is known as Cusick's clover. It is found in the Great Basin region.
• Trifolium eriocephalum ssp. eriocephalum — This is the main or "typical" subspecies of woollyhead clover.