Synonyms: Reversed Clover.
The Persian Clover is an introduced plant that is native to Eurasia. It is used in many countries a important fodder crop but it especially grows well in areas with a mediterranean climate. In Maryland I can not find any records of this plant being observed or collected after the early 1960's. A few specimens collected prior to 1961 from Prince George's County are housed at the Norton-Brown Herbarium at the University of Maryland.
The small bright pink flowering heads that have a flatter appearance than other clover species are distinctive and easily recognizable. The flat appearance is caused by the reversal of the position of the individual flowers on the clover's flowering head. Typically the "standard" petals (two large petals over the two "wing" petals and the keel petal) are on top of the flower but the "standard" petals on the Persian Clover grow on the bottom. Thus, another common name is the Reversed Clover.
Open weedy habitats with lots of sun seem to be the preferred habitat of Persian Clover.
There are 3 records in the project database.
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