Description
Trifolium incarnatum (scientific name: Trifolium incarnatum L.) is an annual herb of the genus Trifolium in the Papilionaceae family, 30-100 cm high. The taproot penetrates into the soil layer up to 50 cm. Stems erect or ascend. Three palmate compound leaves; stipules oval and membranous. The inflorescence is cylindric and terminal, continues to elongate during flowering, 3-5 cm long, 1-1.5 cm wide, constricted and closed in fruit; corolla dark red, vermilion to orange, flag petals narrow oval, sharp pointed head, obvious It is longer than the wing petals and keel petals; the ovary is broadly ovoid, the style is slender, and one ovule. Pods ovoid; with 1 brown seed. Flower and fruit period from May to July.
It is native to Italy, southern Africa and the Mediterranean coast. Introduced and cultivated in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Japan and other countries. Trial planting was successful in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River in China. Like warm and humid climate conditions, the suitable distribution area is where the annual precipitation is above 600 mm, and 700-1000 mm is the most suitable.
Trifolium pratense is an excellent forage with strong adaptability. Trifolium pratense has high nitrogen content, decays and decomposes quickly, and can be used as green manure in rice fields. Because of its dense stems and leaves, long green period and bright colors, it is also an excellent lawn plant and nectar plant. Strong soil protection and soil consolidation, also used for soil and water conservation
