Trifolium macraei
Macrae's clover, Macrae's Clover
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Trifolium macraei (Macrae's clover) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by paired sessile heads and plumose calyx lobes.
Macrae's clover is a California native annual found in coastal bioregions including North Coast, Central Coast, San Francisco Bay, and Channel Islands in disturbed areas and dunes at elevations below 600 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces purple or two-colored flowers in compact heads 5 to 15 millimeters wide. Growing with decumbent to erect stems, it develops delicate branching structures that spread low across the ground. Its leaves feature three leaflets 1 to 2 centimeters long, with distinctively ovate or narrowly elliptic shapes and stipules that taper to bristle-like tips. The plant's flower clusters are typically paired and nestled close to its leaves, with hairy calyces that have elongated, plume-like lobes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 47 sympatric species; paired sessile heads and plumose calyx lobes
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas, dunes
Elevation: < 600 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Mateo, Monterey, Humboldt, San Francisco, Marin, Santa Clara, San Luis Obispo, Sonoma, Del Norte, Alameda, Contra Costa, Placer, Santa Cruz, Mendocino, Orange
Outside California: South America
Bloom period
Trifolium macraei blooms Mar-May.
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 macraei native to California?
Yes. Trifolium macraei is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Trifolium macraei bloom?
Trifolium macraei blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Trifolium macraei grow?
Trifolium macraei occurs in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Mateo, Monterey, Humboldt, San Francisco, Marin, Santa Clara and other counties, at elevations of < 600 m.
What plant family does Trifolium macraei belong to?
Trifolium macraei is in the Fabaceae family, genus Trifolium.
What habitat does Trifolium macraei grow in?
Trifolium macraei grows in Disturbed areas, dunes.
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.