Red Clover – Trifolium pratense

Common name: red clover

Red Clover is found all across the US. You’ll find it in yards, roadsides, fields and in other disturbed habitats.

Originally was native to the Eastern Mediterranean and Asia and was naturalized to the United States.

Red clover grows up to 16 inches, with a hairy upright stem. The leaves are made up of three (and an occasional lucky four!) oval leaflets with a prominent white “V” mark in the center, commonly referred to as a chevron. The flowers are purple to pink and are egg-shaped.

Red clover is a member of the pea family, Leguminosae. Clover is part of a group of plants that are able to take nitrogen from the atmosphere and make it biologically available to other plants. Nitrogen fixation is of critical importance in protein production in plants and makes the plants a critical player in agricultural planning.

Historically, red clover flower tea has been used as an antispasmodic, expectorant, a mild sedative, and a blood purifier; as well as for asthma, bronchitis and respiratory spasms. Red clover was also used for athlete’s foot, sores, and other skin issues. You’ll even find red clover wine!

Active compounds are flavenoids, phenolic acids (including salicylic acid), volatile oils such as methyl salicylate and benzyl alcohol, sitosterol, fatty acids, tannin and starch

Research scientists are studying the herb for combating AIDS, diabetes and menopause.

Magically speaking, the red clover was believed to bring good luck!

It was believed that whoever carried a three-leaf clover with him would be able to detect witches, sorcerers and good fairies around him.

Christianity believed the three-leaf clover to be a symbol of the Trinity, so many churches and church windows are designed around a cloverleaf.