Trifolium hydrophilum
Saline clover
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Trifolium hydrophilum (Saline clover) is a native California annual in the Fabaceae family, recognized by specialized saline habitat and fleshy appearance.
Saline clover is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in the Sacramento Valley, northwestern San Joaquin Valley, and central western California in salt marshes and open alkaline areas at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white to pale pink flowers in compact heads approximately 1 to 1.5 centimeters wide. Growing as a generally fleshy annual with low-spreading stems, it has a compact and succulent appearance. Its leaves are composed of three leaflets, typically showing adaptations to saline environments with thick, fleshy textures. The tiny flowers have distinctive striate (striped) corollas measuring 6.5 to 9 millimeters long, nestled within involucre bracts that are less than 1 millimeter and basally fused.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 41 sympatric species; specialized saline habitat and fleshy appearance
Habitat and range
Habitat: Salt marshes, open areas in alkaline soils
Elevation: < 300 m
California counties: San Joaquin, Solano, Alameda, Santa Clara, Napa, San Luis Obispo, Lake, Yolo, Sonoma, Santa Cruz, San Benito, Monterey
Bloom period
Trifolium hydrophilum blooms Apr-Jun.
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 hydrophilum native to California?
Yes. Trifolium hydrophilum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Trifolium hydrophilum bloom?
Trifolium hydrophilum blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Trifolium hydrophilum grow?
Trifolium hydrophilum occurs in San Joaquin, Solano, Alameda, Santa Clara, Napa, San Luis Obispo, Lake, Yolo and other counties, at elevations of < 300 m.
What plant family does Trifolium hydrophilum belong to?
Trifolium hydrophilum is in the Fabaceae family, genus Trifolium.
Is Trifolium hydrophilum rare or endangered?
Trifolium hydrophilum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
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 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.