Trifolium andersonii subsp. andersonii
Anderson's clover, Anderson's Clover
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Trifolium andersonii subsp. andersonii (Anderson's clover) is a native California subshrub in the Fabaceae family.
Anderson's clover is a California native perennial herb with a CNPS rank of 4.3, found in northern Sierra Nevada Mountains and Modoc Plateau in rocky slopes and meadows, especially yellow-pine forest, at elevations of 900 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to August, this clover produces small, delicate white to pale pink flowers in compact rounded heads. Growing with slender stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms loose, spreading clusters. Its leaves have three leaflets, each generally 1 to 2 centimeters long, with elongated petiole hairs measuring 1.5 to 2 millimeters. The flower clusters are typically nestled close to the leaves, with short peduncles 1 to 4 centimeters long.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, meadows, especially yellow-pine forest
Elevation: 900-2000 m
California counties: Plumas, Lassen, Alpine, Sierra, Mono, Inyo
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Trifolium andersonii subsp. andersonii blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 andersonii subsp. andersonii native to California?
Yes. Trifolium andersonii subsp. andersonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Trifolium andersonii subsp. andersonii bloom?
Trifolium andersonii subsp. andersonii blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Trifolium andersonii subsp. andersonii grow?
Trifolium andersonii subsp. andersonii occurs in Plumas, Lassen, Alpine, Sierra, Mono, Inyo, at elevations of 900-2000 m.
What plant family does Trifolium andersonii subsp. andersonii belong to?
Trifolium andersonii subsp. andersonii is in the Fabaceae family, genus Trifolium.
Is Trifolium andersonii subsp. andersonii rare or endangered?
Trifolium andersonii subsp. andersonii carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.