CRIMSON CLOVER 



By E. A. Hollowell, senior agronomist, Division of Forage Crops and Diseases, 

 Bureau of Plant Industry, Soils, and Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural 

 Research Administration 



CRIMSON clover (Trifolium incarnatum) is the most important 

 winter annual legume of the central section of the Eastern States. 

 This crop can be grown over a much larger area by using seed of 

 adapted varieties for each section, by using better cultural methods, 

 and by fertilizing the soil (fig. 1). Besides being an excellent pasture 



plant and furnishing plenty of 

 hay, it protects the soil during 

 fall, winter, and spring, prevents 

 soil washing, and provides green 

 manure for soil improvement. 

 This legume has the distinct 

 advantage of producing large 

 quantities of seed that can be 

 easily harvested and sown without 

 the use of expensive machinery. 

 Crimson clover is a native of 

 Europe and is widely grown in 

 France, Hungary, and other cen- 

 tral and southern European 

 countries. Seed was introduced 

 into this country as early as 1819, 

 but it was not until 1880 that the 

 plant became important. The 

 acreage has been steadily increas- 

 ing. During the 5-year period 1940-45 the annual purchase of 

 seed through markets in the United States has ranged from 6 to 18 

 million pounds. In 1935 about 2 million pounds were used. In addi- 

 tion, large quantities of home-grown seed are handled from farm to 

 farm. 



The common name of this clover is derived from the bright crimson 

 color of the blossoms. Other such common names as German clover 

 and scarlet clover are frequently used. In general the leaves and stems 

 resemble those of red clover, but are distinguished by the rounded tips 

 of the leaves and more hair on both leaves and stems. When crimson 

 clover is planted in fall the leaves develop from the crown and form 

 a rosette, which enlarges whenever weather conditions are favorable. 

 In spring, flower stems develop rapidly and end their growth with 

 long pointed flower heads. Seed forms and the plant dies with the 

 coming of hot summer weather. The seed is yellow and is about 

 twice as large as red clover seed and more rounded. 



Issued June 1938 

 Revised January 1947 



Figure 1. — Principal crimson clover 

 regions of the United States. The 

 dotted area shows where crimson 

 clover was generally grown before 

 1938. The cross-hatched area shows 

 where production can be extended 

 by using favorable cultural and 

 fertilizer treatments and adapted 

 varieties. 



