Trifolium cernuum
Nodding clover
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Trifolium cernuum (Nodding clover) is a non-native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by prostrate habit and prominent leaf veins diagnostic.
Nodding clover is a naturalized annual found in northern coastal California, northern Sacramento Valley, central Coast Ranges, and San Francisco Bay Area in disturbed areas at elevations below 150 meters. Flowering in May, this plant produces pink flowers with a notched banner and delicate reflexed positioning. Growing with prostrate to ascending glabrous stems, it forms low-spreading clusters across disturbed ground. Its leaves feature three leaflets, each 0.4 to 1.5 centimeters long, with obovate to heart-shaped leaflets that have prominent veins and blunt or slightly notched tips. The plant's lance-triangular stipules have long-pointed tips, giving it a distinctive appearance in its preferred habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 48 sympatric species; prostrate habit and prominent leaf veins diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas
Elevation: < 150 m
California counties: Marin, Butte, Nevada, Tehama, Mendocino, Santa Cruz, Del Norte, Napa, San Mateo, Monterey
Outside California: United States, native to Mediterranean
Bloom period
Trifolium cernuum blooms 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 cernuum native to California?
No. Trifolium cernuum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Trifolium cernuum bloom?
Trifolium cernuum blooms May.
Where in California does Trifolium cernuum grow?
Trifolium cernuum occurs in Marin, Butte, Nevada, Tehama, Mendocino, Santa Cruz, Del Norte, Napa and other counties, at elevations of < 150 m.
What plant family does Trifolium cernuum belong to?
Trifolium cernuum is in the Fabaceae family, genus Trifolium.
What habitat does Trifolium cernuum grow in?
Trifolium cernuum 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.