Plant Details

Trifolium repens

White clover, Dutch clover, Purple Dutch clover, Shamrock

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Common names

77 names · 46 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Dutch clover
  • giant clover[1]
  • Ladino clover[1]
+5 more namesShow fewer names
  • New Zealand Clover[1]
  • Purple Dutch clover
  • Shamrock
  • White clover[1]
  • white Dutch clover[1]
Other languages (45)
Dutch
  • Witte klaver[1]
French
  • Trèfle blanc[1]
  • Trèfle rampant[1]
Afrikaans
  • Brabantse Klawer[1]
  • Witklawer[1]
  • witteklawer[1]
Arabic
  • نفل أبيض[1]
  • نفل زاحف[1]
Armenian
  • Երեքնուկ սողացող[1]
Asturian
Basque
  • Hirusta zuria[1]
Belarusian
  • Канюшына белая[1]
Bulgarian
  • Пълзяща детелина[1]
Catalan
  • Trèvol blanc[1]
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 白三叶草[1]
  • 白花三叶草[1]
  • 白花苜蓿[1]
+2 more namesShow fewer names
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 白花三葉草[1]
  • 白花苜蓿[1]
  • 白荷蘭翹搖[1]
+3 more namesShow fewer names
Coast Miwok
Croatian
  • Bijela djetelina[1]
Czech
  • jetel plazivý[1]
Danish
  • Hvid-kløver[1]
Emilian Romagnol
  • Tarfój bjânc[1]
Estonian
  • valge ristik[1]
Faroese
  • seyðasmæra[1]
Finnish
  • Valkoapila[1]
Galician
  • Trevo branco[1]
German
  • Kriech-Klee[1]
  • Weiß-Klee[1]
Hebrew
  • תלתן זוחל[1]
Hungarian
  • Fehér here[1]
Icelandic
  • Hvítsmári[1]
Irish
  • Seamair bhán[1]
Italian
  • Trifoglio bianco[1]
Japanese
  • オオシロツメクサ[1]
  • クローバー[1]
  • シロツメクサ[1]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
Korean
Latvian
  • Ložņu āboliņš[1]
Lithuanian
  • Baltasis dobilas[1]
Norwegian
  • hvitkløver[1]
Polish
  • koniczyna biała[1]
Portuguese
  • Trevo-branco[1]
  • Trevo-da-sorte[1]
Romanian
  • Trifoi Alb[1]
Russian
  • Амория ползучая[1]
  • Клевер белый[1]
  • Клевер ползучий[1]
Serbian
  • Bela detelina[1]
  • Бела детелина[1]
Slovak
  • ďatelina plazivá[1]
Slovenian
  • plazeča detelja[1]
Spanish
  • Carretón blanco[1]
  • Trébol blanco[1]
Swedish
  • Vitklöver[1]
Thai
  • โคลเวอร์ขาว[1]
Turkish
  • Ak Üçgül[1]
  • Beyaz Yonca[1]
Ukrainian
  • Конюшина біла[1]
  • Конюшина повзуча[1]
Welsh
  • Meillionen wen[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Trifolium repens — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • white clover — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • witte klaver — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Trébol blanco — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Weiß-Klee — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Kriech-Klee — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Клевер ползучий — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Клевер белый — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Trevo-branco — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Trèfle blanc — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Trèfle rampant — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Trevo-da-sorte — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Trèvol blanc — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • 토끼풀 — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Vitklöver — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Trifoglio bianco — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Valkoapila — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • תלתן זוחל — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • シロツメクサ — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • white Dutch clover — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • 白车轴草 — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • 白花三葉草 — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • 菽草 — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • jetel plazivý — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Hvid-kløver — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • valge ristik — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Bolitsche — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • hvitkløver — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • koniczyna biała — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Tarfój bjânc — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Пълзяща детелина — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Амория ползучая — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Baltasis dobilas — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • 白菽草 — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • 白車軸草 — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • 白花苜蓿 — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • 白荷蘭翹搖 — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Fehér here — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • 白花三叶草 — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • 白花苜蓿 — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • 菽草 — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • 白三叶草 — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • ďatelina plazivá — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • نفل زاحف — results[0].names[44]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • نفل أبيض — results[0].names[45]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Carretón blanco — results[0].names[46]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Երեքնուկ սողացող — results[0].names[47]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • クローバー — results[0].names[48]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • オオシロツメクサ — results[0].names[49]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Бела детелина — results[0].names[50]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Seamair bhán — results[0].names[51]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Trevo branco — results[0].names[52]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • New Zealand Clover — results[0].names[53]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Witklawer — results[0].names[54]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Brabantse Klawer — results[0].names[55]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • seyðasmæra — results[0].names[56]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Конюшина повзуча — results[0].names[57]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Канюшына белая — results[0].names[58]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Ladino clover — results[0].names[59]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • witteklawer — results[0].names[60]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • plazeča detelja — results[0].names[61]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Ak Üçgül — results[0].names[62]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Ložņu āboliņš — results[0].names[63]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Beyaz Yonca — results[0].names[64]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Конюшина біла — results[0].names[65]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • โคลเวอร์ขาว — results[0].names[66]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • giant clover — results[0].names[67]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Hvítsmári — results[0].names[68]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • 白詰草 — results[0].names[69]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Meillionen wen — results[0].names[70]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Bijela djetelina — results[0].names[71]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Bela detelina — results[0].names[72]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • káali — results[0].names[73]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Hirusta zuria — results[0].names[74]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.
  • Trifoi Alb — results[0].names[75]; taxon id 55745; Trifolium repens.

General information

Scientific name: Trifolium repens
Accepted name (Kew): Trifolium repens L. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Fabaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Trifolium (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: White clover, Dutch clover, Purple Dutch clover, Shamrock
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.1–0.15 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Spread: 0.3–0.3 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Growth rate: Fast
Sources [3]
Foliage: Deciduous
Sources [3]
Growth habit: Creeping, Prostrate

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]
Life cycle: Perennial
Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt)
Sources [3]
pH:
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [3]
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Flowers, Condiment, Root, Tea
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
Nitrogen fixer, Carbon farming, Ground cover

Description

Leaves can be eaten both raw and cooked and serve as leafy vegetables. The young leaves are harvested before the plant flowers and are suitable for salads, soups, and other dishes. They can also be prepared as a vegetable, similar to cooked spinach. Cooking the leaves is recommended for the best flavor and texture. Flowers and pods can be dried and then ground into powder to be used as flour or sprinkled over cooked food such as rice. This adds extra nutrients to the meal. The young flowers are also suitable for use in salads. The root of the plant can be cooked, and the dried leaves impart a vanilla flavor to cakes and other baked goods. Dried flowering heads can be used as a substitute for tea.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/05
Harvest ends: 15/09

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 169427; name ID 2440723; Trifolium Tourn. ex L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 167110; name ID 2439997; Trifolium repens L..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Trifolium repens

    Taxonomic data from WCVP-Fabaceae, version 2026, v.7, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. This shares the Kew WCVP evidence base cited on this page.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 1427320, ID 58Q4Y: Trifolium repens L. (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Trifolium repens — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadGrowth rateFoliageGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .