1. Guides
  2. Minnesota-Twin Cities Honey Bee Fodder
  3. white clover

white clover

Trifolium repens

Summary 2

Nectar: High
Pollen: High yield and nutrition

White clover is a creeping, perennial, mat-forming herb, from Europe...and at high altitudes in Hawaii, for pastures...It has been introduced Hawaii...(Neal, M. C. (1965). In gardens of Hawaii)

Fast growth rate, honey crystalizes rapid to fine. Honey and pollen 1-2 years. ; White clover (Trifolium repens) is one of the most common lawn weeds that land managers may encounter. White clover is often indicative of soils that have low fertility or a situation where lawns are mowed to a very low height. This plant spreads through a stoloniferous growth habit, where lateral stems grow at or just above the soil surface. White clover is easily recognizable due to its distinctive leaves, which appear in the form of a three-leaf trifoliate. Once established in a lawn, white clover will bloom from mid-spring through the fall, generally peaking in May and June. The blooms of white clover appear in the form of a white flower head that is attractive to a great diversity of bees. The medium-sized blooms provide an adequate landing pad for larger bees, including bumblebees and honey bees, but are also visited by smaller bees. White clover is a significant source of both nectar and pollen for bees, making it a great addition to a home lawn or garden in terms of supporting biodiversity. White clover can also benefit overall lawn health due to its ability to fix and add nitrogen to the soil, supporting healthy plant growth. White clover will bloom at low heights, which will allow a landowner to maintain a normal lawn height (~3.0″) while still supporting bees. (Bethke-DeJaeghere, S. (2016). CATCH THE BUZZ)

It is the leading honey plant in many states with yields up to 300 lbs/colony. It is the source of much of the early surplus east of the Mississippi River. The honey is white and mild with a delicate flavor. It granulates rapidly after extraction but more slowly in the white, attractive combs. In dry years white clover yields very little nectar. It is listed by Oertel as most important in 11 states, second in 10 states and very important in 9 others. Ladino clover, a larger-flowered variety is being planted extensively. (Lovell, H. B. (1966). Honey Plants Manual)

Perennial [blooms] May to September. As planted and naturalized. A commercial seed crop in Willamette Valley and a common lawn and pasture volunteer. Honey surplus are not commonly produced. Nectar sugar concentration about 45% (Burgett, D. M., Stringer, B. A., & Johnston, L. R. D. (1989). Nectar and Pollen Plants of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest)

A low-growing perennial or annual herb cultivated in temperate and subtropical areas for hay, silage, and pasture, except on acid soils...The round flower head consists of 50-250 florets, each of which produces on average 2.5 seeds. The stigma of the flower extends beyond the anthers and self-pollination is not possible. White clover is largely self-incompatible; cross-pollination is carried out by insects, especially by bees. They are attracted by the nectar at the base of the corolla which is easily accessible to most bees. White clover is an important honey source and bees also collect pollen. Pollen foragers and nectar foragers are about equal in pollinating efficiency on this crop. Honey bees are less efficient at pollinating ladino clover....The number of bees required has been estimated as 2 or more bees per square yard (meter), in weather when bees can fly. (Crane, E., & Walker, P. (1984). Pollination Directory for World Crops)

Flowering time 8-5, 10-11, 3-4 Europe. A creeping perennial for grazing. Occurs widely as an escape in higher rainfall areas, particularly as a weed of lawns, from southwestern Cape to MP and C. Florets wither soon after pollination. Contributes to multi-floral honey. Pollen olive to greyish-brown, with 24.2% crude protein. With summer rains there are two main growing periods reflected in the flowering times. (Johannsmeier, M. F. (2016). Beeplants of South Africa: Sources of Nectar, Pollen, Honeydew and Propolis for Honeybees)

Trifolium repens, the white clover (also known as Dutch clover, Ladino clover, or Ladino), is a herbaceous perennial plant in the bean family Fabaceae (Previously referred to as Leguminosae). It is native to Europe and central Asia. One of the most widely cultivated types of clover, it has been widely introduced worldwide as a forage crop, and is now also common in most grassy areas (lawns and gardens) of North America and New Zealand. The species...

Sources and Credits

  1. (c) Alexis López Hernández, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexis López Hernández
  2. Adapted by Megan W. from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trifolium_repens

More Info

iNat Map

Member of the iNaturalist Network   |   Powered by iNaturalist open source software |   Documentation for developers