Trifolium andersonii subsp. beatleyae
Beatley's five-leaved clover, Beatley's Five-Leaved Clover
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Trifolium andersonii subsp. beatleyae (Beatley's five-leaved clover) is a native California subshrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by high elevation, long peduncles, 5 leaflets diagnostic.
Beatley's five-leaved clover is a California native perennial found in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains in Mono County, inhabiting washes, talus slopes, pine forests, and alpine areas at elevations of 1,300 to 4,000 meters. Flowering from May to August, this clover produces small white to pink flowers in compact clusters that rise well above its leafy base. Growing with delicate stems 10 to 20 centimeters tall, it forms low-growing clusters in alpine and subalpine environments. Its distinctive leaves feature five leaflets, each 5 to 14 millimeters long, with fine, elongated hairs along the leaf stems. The plant's slender flower stalks extend notably beyond its foliage, creating a graceful silhouette against rocky mountain terrain.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; high elevation, long peduncles, 5 leaflets diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Washes, talus, pine forest to alpine slopes
Elevation: 1300-4000 m
California counties: Mono, Inyo
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Trifolium andersonii subsp. beatleyae blooms May-Aug.
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. beatleyae native to California?
Yes. Trifolium andersonii subsp. beatleyae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Trifolium andersonii subsp. beatleyae bloom?
Trifolium andersonii subsp. beatleyae blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Trifolium andersonii subsp. beatleyae grow?
Trifolium andersonii subsp. beatleyae occurs in Mono, Inyo, at elevations of 1300-4000 m.
What plant family does Trifolium andersonii subsp. beatleyae belong to?
Trifolium andersonii subsp. beatleyae is in the Fabaceae family, genus Trifolium.
What habitat does Trifolium andersonii subsp. beatleyae grow in?
Trifolium andersonii subsp. beatleyae grows in Washes, talus, pine forest to alpine slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.