Trifolium alexandrinum
Egyptian clover
(c) Sam Kieschnick, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Trifolium alexandrinum (Egyptian clover) is a non-native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by large cream flowers and specific habitat diagnostic.
Egyptian clover is a naturalized annual found in the Sacramento Valley, specifically Butte County, in disturbed areas and agricultural fields at elevations below 50 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces cream-colored flowers in dense heads 1.5 to 2 centimeters wide, arranged in spheric to ovate clusters. Growing with erect to ascending stems that are generally hairy, it reaches moderate heights with an upright habit. Its leaves feature three leaflets 1.5 to 3.5 centimeters long, ranging from elliptic to oblanceolate, with long-tapered stipules. The plant's delicate cream-colored flowers have bristle-like calyx lobes and are subtly textured with sparse plumose hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 32 sympatric species; large cream flowers and specific habitat diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas, agricultural fields
Elevation: < 50 m
Outside California: United States, native to Mediterranean
Bloom period
Trifolium alexandrinum blooms Apr-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Medicago: Trifolium flowers persist around fruits; Medicago flowers fall off leaving exposed coiled fruits.; vs Oxalis: Trifolium has pea-shaped flowers; wood-sorrels (Oxalis) have 5-petaled star-shaped flowers and heart-notched leaflets.; vs Melilotus: Trifolium flowers persist enclosing fruits; Melilotus flowers fall off leaving exposed ridged pods.; vs Castilleja: Trifolium has pea flowers and 3 toothed leaflets; paintbrush (Castilleja) has tubular flowers in colorful bracts.; vs Acmispon: Trifolium leaflets have toothed edges; Acmispon leaflets have smooth untoothed margins.
Frequently asked questions
Is Trifolium alexandrinum native to California?
No. Trifolium alexandrinum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Trifolium alexandrinum bloom?
Trifolium alexandrinum blooms Apr-May.
What plant family does Trifolium alexandrinum belong to?
Trifolium alexandrinum is in the Fabaceae family, genus Trifolium.
What habitat does Trifolium alexandrinum grow in?
Trifolium alexandrinum grows in Disturbed areas, agricultural fields.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.