Trifolium longipes subsp. shastense
Photo: parent species Trifolium longipes · (c) paulexcoff, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Trifolium longipes subsp. shastense is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by key features: cespitose habit, lavender-purple flowers, acute to attenuate petals.
Shasta clover is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and Cascade Range in conifer forest to alpine slopes at elevations of 1,400 to 2,700 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces lavender to purple flowers in compact clusters with some blossoms becoming reflexed. Growing in dense tufted clumps with slender stems, it forms low-growing patches across mountain landscapes. Its leaves are composed of three leaflets, each approximately 1.5 to 4 times longer than wide, creating a delicate, intricate foliage pattern. The flowers feature slender pedicels and corollas 1 to 1.2 centimeters long, with petals that taper to acute or attenuate tips.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 36 sympatric species; key features: cespitose habit, lavender-purple flowers, acute to attenuate petals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Conifer forest to alpine slopes
Elevation: 1400-2700 m
California counties: Lassen, Shasta, Modoc, Del Norte, Siskiyou, Trinity, Humboldt
Bloom period
Trifolium longipes subsp. shastense blooms Jun-Sep.
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 subsp. shastense native to California?
Yes. Trifolium longipes subsp. shastense is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Trifolium longipes subsp. shastense bloom?
Trifolium longipes subsp. shastense blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Trifolium longipes subsp. shastense grow?
Trifolium longipes subsp. shastense occurs in Lassen, Shasta, Modoc, Del Norte, Siskiyou, Trinity, Humboldt, at elevations of 1400-2700 m.
What plant family does Trifolium longipes subsp. shastense belong to?
Trifolium longipes subsp. shastense is in the Fabaceae family, genus Trifolium.
What habitat does Trifolium longipes subsp. shastense grow in?
Trifolium longipes subsp. shastense grows in Conifer forest to alpine slopes.
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.