Trifolium bolanderi
Bolander's clover
(c) Chris Winchell, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Trifolium bolanderi (Bolander's clover) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by dark calyx and turned flower heads diagnostic.
Bolander's clover is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains in moist montane meadows at elevations of 2,000 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from June to July, this clover produces pale purple to rose flowers in compact heads 1 to 2 centimeters wide, with blooms quickly bending to one side. Growing in clumped clusters with short, ascending stems, it forms dense low-growing patches. Its leaves are primarily basal with delicate papery stipules, composed of 7 to 15 millimeter leaflets that are elliptic to heart-shaped and finely serrated along the edges. The plant's distinctive calyx is dark or purple-black, measuring 3.5 to 4.5 millimeters long with unequal lobes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 31 sympatric species; dark calyx and turned flower heads diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist montane meadows
Elevation: 2000-2300 m
California counties: Madera, Mariposa, Fresno, Tuolumne, Plumas
Bloom period
Trifolium bolanderi blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 bolanderi native to California?
Yes. Trifolium bolanderi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Trifolium bolanderi bloom?
Trifolium bolanderi blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Trifolium bolanderi grow?
Trifolium bolanderi occurs in Madera, Mariposa, Fresno, Tuolumne, Plumas, at elevations of 2000-2300 m.
What plant family does Trifolium bolanderi belong to?
Trifolium bolanderi is in the Fabaceae family, genus Trifolium.
Is Trifolium bolanderi rare or endangered?
Trifolium bolanderi carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S3.
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.