434 BOTANY OF CROP PLANTS 



Geographical, and Uses. — White clover has become dis- 

 tributed throughout the greater part of temperate North 

 America, Europe, and Asia. It is common in lawns, pas- 

 tures, and meadows, and is an important ingredient of lawn 

 grass mixtures. The only distinct agricultural variety is 

 Ladino clover (Trifolium repens latum). It is larger than 

 ordinary white clover, and less resistant to cold. 



Environmental Relations. — White clover will withstand 

 greater temperature extremes than either red clover or alsike 

 clover. It is naturally suited to cool, moist regions. It is 

 more tolerant of shade than red and alsike clovers. 



TRIFOLIUM HYBRIDUM (Alsike, Alsatian, or Swedish clover) 



Description. — Alsike is an erect, branching, rather stout, 

 almost glabrous perennial, i to 3 feet tall. Its hfe period 

 is from four to six years. There are many secondary roots 

 which soon become as large as the main tap root. The 

 leaves are long and have greenish veins, long taper-pointed 

 stipules (Fig. 1 83, A) , and obovate leaflets. The plant is more 

 leafy than red clover. The plant is usually cut for hay when 

 in full bloom. The flowering heads are on long peduncles 

 which arise from leaf axils. The flowers are pedicelled, and 

 white or pinkish. The pods are two- to 'four-seeded. The 

 seeds lose their viabiHty rapidly after the second year. 



Geographical, and Uses.- — Alsike clover is a native of 

 Europe. . It has been introduced into this country for agri- 

 cultural purposes and has escaped from cultivation, often 

 being found in fields and waste places. It is not a hybrid 

 between white clover and red clover, as formerly thought. 

 The plant is grown in the same manner and for the same 

 purposes as red clover. The plant is very hardy, more so 

 than red clover, and is quite frequently mixed with timothy 



