The Alpine Clover 



{TRIFOLIUM ALPINUM) 



This plant is the most beautiful and most sweetly scented 

 of all the clover tribe. The long conical root stock which 

 penetrates far into the soil terminates above in many- 

 radiating branches. On these are borne the long stalked 

 leaves, composed of three narrow leaflets with serrated 

 margins. The flowers, which are larger than those of any 

 other clover, are borne in a group of four to twelve on top 

 of a long flower stalk. They begin to appear early in June 

 and continue coming out till the end of August ; they are 

 usually of a delicate pinkish-purple colour, but occasionally 

 a cream or white variety may be found. The Alpine 

 breezes are often filled with their delicate fragrance. When 

 the flower fades the petals are not shed, but remain attached 

 to the seeds and act as wings which aid in their dispersal. 

 Unlike most of our English clovers, which are annuals, the 

 Alpine clover is a perennial and lives for many years, 

 throwing up fresh leaves and branches every spring. The 

 thick solid rootstock of some of these plants must be many 

 years old. This species is very common in the meadows 

 and pastures in the central Alps between 5000 and 8000 

 feet, where it grows in greatest abundance and especially 

 luxuriantly on primary granitic rock. It is probably a true 

 native of the Alps, but is also found in South Tyrol, the 

 Pyrenees, and the Carpathians. 



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