Trifolium dichotomum

Branched indian clover

Family: Fabaceae · Type: annual · Native

Branched indian clover is a California native annual herb found in northwestern California, central Sierra Nevada, Great Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, and southern Coast Ranges in coastal dunes, open slopes, meadows, oak woodlands, and disturbed areas at elevations below 1,300 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces dark purple flowers with white tips, creating delicate 7 to 12 millimeters long blossoms that extend beyond the pale green calyx. Growing with erect stems that are distinctly hairy, the clover reaches a moderate height with an upright, branching structure. Its leaves are trifoliate, typical of the clover genus, with each leaflet contributing to the plant's delicate and intricate appearance. Each plant produces a single seed, highlighting its reproductive strategy in varied California landscapes.

Habitat: Coastal dunes, open slopes, meadows, oak woodland, disturbed areas

Bloom period: Apr-Jun

Elevation: < 1300 m

Bioregions: NW, c SN, GV, SnFrB, SCoR

California counties: Butte, Lake, San Benito, Napa, Mendocino, Los Angeles, Riverside, Santa Clara, Marin, Contra Costa, Sonoma, San Luis Obispo, Siskiyou, Humboldt, San Mateo, Alameda, Monterey, San Joaquin, Colusa, Tehama, Trinity, Sierra, Ventura, Santa Cruz, Yolo, Merced, Fresno, San Diego

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.