Trifolium wormskioldii
Trifolium wormskioldii is a species of clover native to the western half of North America. Its common names include cows clover, coast clover, sand clover, seaside clover, springbank clover, and Wormskjold's clover. Description Trifolium wormskioldii, a legume, is a perennial herb sometimes taking a matlike form, with decumbent or upright stems. The leaves are made up of leaflets measuring long. The lower stipules are tipped with bristles and the upper stipules may be toothed. The rounded inflorescences are wide. The sepals are bristle-tipped. The corollas are pinkish purple or magenta with white tips. Etymology The species was given its scientific name in honour of the Danish botanist Morten Wormskjold. Distribution and habitat This plant is native to the western half of North America from Alaska, through California, to Mexico. It is a perennial herb that grows in many locales, from beaches to mountain ridges, below about in elevation. Habitats it grows in include chaparral, oak woodland, grassland, yellow pine forest, red fir forest, lodgepole forest, subalpine forest, and wetland−riparian. Uses Many Native American groups of western North America use this clover for food. The herbage and flowers are eaten raw, sometimes salted. The roots are commonly steamed or boiled and eaten with fish, fish eggs, and fish grease. This species is host to the caterpillar of the Western cloudywing butterfly (Thorybes diversus). References External links Calflora Database: Trifolium wormskioldii (Coast clover, Cow clover, Springbank clover) Jepson Manual eFlora (TJM2) treatment of Trifolium wormskioldii USDA Plants Profile: Trifolium wormskioldii (cows clover) UC CalPhotos gallery: Trifolium wormskioldii wormskioldii Flora of the Northwestern United States Flora of the Southwestern United States Flora of Northeastern Mexico Flora of Northwestern Mexico Flora of Alaska Flora of British Columbia Flora of California Flora of New Mexico Flora of Texas Flora of the Sierra Nevada (United States) Natural history of the California chaparral and woodlands Natural history of the California Coast Ranges Natural history of the Peninsular Ranges Natural history of the Transverse Ranges Plants used in Native American cuisine