Trifolium angustifolium
Narrow-leaved clover
(c) Brian du Preez, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Brian du Preez · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Trifolium angustifolium (Narrow-leaved clover) is a non-native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by linear leaflets and cylindric spikes diagnostic.
Narrow-leaved clover is a naturalized annual found in the central coast and southern coastal ranges in disturbed areas at elevations especially below 200 meters. Flowering in late spring, this plant produces pale pink flowers in cylindric spikes 1 to 5 centimeters long with distinctive needle-like, plumose calyx lobes. Growing with generally erect hairy stems, it forms an upright annual herb. Its leaves have three leaflets 2 to 4.5 centimeters long, ranging from linear to narrowly lanceolate with stipules that have bristle-tipped ends. The calyx is 10 to 12 millimeters long and becomes hardened in fruit, with unequal spreading lobes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 34 sympatric species; linear leaflets and cylindric spikes diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas
Elevation: especially < 200 m
California counties: Humboldt, Santa Cruz, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Marin, Sonoma, Solano, Colusa, Napa, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, Shasta, Santa Clara
Outside California: Oregon, native to Mediterranean
Bloom period
Trifolium angustifolium blooms Late spring.
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 angustifolium native to California?
No. Trifolium angustifolium is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Trifolium angustifolium bloom?
Trifolium angustifolium blooms Late spring.
Where in California does Trifolium angustifolium grow?
Trifolium angustifolium occurs in Humboldt, Santa Cruz, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Marin, Sonoma, Solano and other counties, at elevations of especially < 200 m.
What plant family does Trifolium angustifolium belong to?
Trifolium angustifolium is in the Fabaceae family, genus Trifolium.
What habitat does Trifolium angustifolium grow in?
Trifolium angustifolium grows in Disturbed areas.
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.