Biology:Trifolium alpinum

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Short description: Species of flowering plant in the bean family Fabaceae

Trifolium alpinum
Glacier d'Aletsch avec fleurs.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Genus: Trifolium
Species:
T. alpinum
Binomial name
Trifolium alpinum

Trifolium alpinum is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name alpine clover.[2] It is native to the Alps.[3]

This plant is a perennial herb with a large taproot which can be 1 metre long and 1 centimetre wide. The short stems bear ternate leaves divided into three leaflets each up to 5 cm long. The fragrant flowers are pink to light red, tinged with purple.[3]

This plant grows at elevations between 1700 and 2500 m,[3] sometimes up to 2800 m,[4] in subalpine and alpine climates. It commonly grows on acidic soils.[3]

In alpine regions this plant provides an important forage for livestock.[5] It is also good for stabilizing sites of erosion at high elevations.[6]

References

Wikidata ☰ Q159593 entry