Trifolium longipes
Long-stalked clover
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Trifolium longipes (Long-stalked clover) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by bent peduncles and reflexed flowers diagnostic.
Long-stalked clover is a California native perennial found in meadows, grasslands, and open woodlands at moderate elevations. Flowering from May to July, this clover produces dull white to purple flowers in dense heads 1.5 to 3 centimeters wide with distinctively curved peduncles. Growing with decumbent to erect stems that are generally puberulent, it forms loose clumps with or without underground rhizomes. Its leaves are composed of 2 to 5 centimeter leaflets ranging from linear to obovate, with lance-oblong to ovate stipules less than 2 centimeters long. The flowers have calyxes 5 to 10 millimeters long with lobes typically longer than the tube, creating a delicate and intricate appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 61 sympatric species; bent peduncles and reflexed flowers diagnostic
Habitat and range
California counties: Nevada, Alpine, San Bernardino, Tulare, Inyo, Siskiyou, Plumas, Sierra, Modoc, Mono, Fresno, Trinity, Del Norte, El Dorado, Lassen, Placer, Tuolumne, Lake, Shasta, Humboldt, Glenn, Mendocino, Butte, Madera, Calaveras, Mariposa, Tehama, Amador
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 longipes native to California?
Yes. Trifolium longipes is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Trifolium longipes grow?
Trifolium longipes occurs in Nevada, Alpine, San Bernardino, Tulare, Inyo, Siskiyou, Plumas, Sierra and other counties.
What plant family does Trifolium longipes belong to?
Trifolium longipes is in the Fabaceae family, genus Trifolium.
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.