Trifolium gymnocarpon
Nuttall's clover, Plummer's Clover
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Trifolium gymnocarpon (Nuttall's clover) is a native California subshrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by geographic isolation and cushion-forming habit in sagebrush.
Nuttall's clover is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in the Modoc Plateau in sagebrush and juniper habitats at elevations of 1,500 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from May to June, this clover produces pink to tan flowers in compact clusters 10 to 15 millimeters wide. Growing as a mat- or cushion-forming plant with hairy stems, it spreads low across the ground with delicate, dense growth. Its leaves feature 3 to 5 thick, elliptic leaflets about 0.8 to 20 millimeters long, with fine serrated edges less than 0.3 millimeters deep. The small fruits are 4 to 5 millimeters long and extend slightly beyond the flower's corolla.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; geographic isolation and cushion-forming habit in sagebrush
Habitat and range
Habitat: With sagebrush, juniper
Elevation: 1500-1800 m
Outside California: to Oregon, Montana, New Mexico
Bloom period
Trifolium gymnocarpon blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
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 gymnocarpon native to California?
Yes. Trifolium gymnocarpon is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Trifolium gymnocarpon bloom?
Trifolium gymnocarpon blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Trifolium gymnocarpon belong to?
Trifolium gymnocarpon is in the Fabaceae family, genus Trifolium.
Is Trifolium gymnocarpon rare or endangered?
Trifolium gymnocarpon carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Trifolium gymnocarpon grow in?
Trifolium gymnocarpon grows in With sagebrush, juniper.
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.