Alsike clover

Growing up to 40 centimetres (1+1⁄2 ft) tall, T. hybridum is a perennial plant with a semi-erect, sparsely branched, grooved stem, hairy in its upper regions. The leaves are alternate and stalked with small stipules. The leaves have three blunt-tipped ovate, unspotted leaflets with finely toothed margins. From April to October in the Northern Hemisphere, the densely globose inflorescence blooms from a long stalk attached to the leaf axils. The individual florets have a five-lobed calyx and an irregular corolla consisting of five pink petals, one upstanding "standard", two lateral "wings" and the lower two fused to form a "keel". There are ten stamens and a single carpal.

Originating in mainland Europe, it has become established as an introduced plant in the British Isles and throughout the temperate regions of the world. It is native to southern Europe and southwestern Asia, especially in mountainous regions. Because of its wide cultivation and use as forage, its subspecies T. h. hybridum is used and has become naturalised further north in Europe and in other parts of the world. Its natural habitat is fields, meadows, roadsides, banks and waste ground. When added to seed mixtures, it seldom persists once the sward has closed up.

The species has been found to quickly lower soil pH, increasing its viable area of reproduction, whilst reducing the bio-density of weeds by up to 57%. Under the right conditions it may become invasive unless properly managed. With regard to inbreeding, it was found that there were disadvantageous changes to height, persistence, and vigor unless selectively bred for said traits. It is also grown as fodder (hay or silage).

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