Trifolium macrocephalum
Large-head clover, Large-Head Clover
(c) J Brew, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by J Brew · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Trifolium macrocephalum (Large-head clover) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by enormous heads and flowers distinguish from all others.
Large-head clover is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Sierra Nevada, Modoc Plateau, and mountain regions in rocky sagebrush and juniper habitats at elevations of 650 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from April to May, this clover produces light pink-purple flowers in dense heads 3 to 5 centimeters wide with distinctive bristle-like calyx lobes. Growing with ascending hairy stems and a rhizomatous root system, it forms compact clusters up to 6 centimeters tall. Its leaves feature 7 to 9 thick, obovate leaflets 1 to 2.5 centimeters long, with basal stipules turning brown-papery as they mature. The plant produces 1 to 3 seeds in its characteristic dense, rounded flower clusters.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 52 sympatric species; enormous heads and flowers distinguish from all others
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky flats or slopes, with sagebrush, juniper, to mountain ridges
Elevation: 650-2500 m
California counties: Kern, Modoc, Lassen, Siskiyou, Los Angeles, Plumas, Sierra, Shasta, Riverside, Humboldt, Ventura, San Benito, Del Norte, Tulare, Sacramento, Fresno, Santa Barbara, Madera, San Diego
Outside California: to Washington, Idaho, Nevada
Bloom period
Trifolium macrocephalum blooms Apr-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 macrocephalum native to California?
Yes. Trifolium macrocephalum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Trifolium macrocephalum bloom?
Trifolium macrocephalum blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Trifolium macrocephalum grow?
Trifolium macrocephalum occurs in Kern, Modoc, Lassen, Siskiyou, Los Angeles, Plumas, Sierra, Shasta and other counties, at elevations of 650-2500 m.
What plant family does Trifolium macrocephalum belong to?
Trifolium macrocephalum is in the Fabaceae family, genus Trifolium.
What habitat does Trifolium macrocephalum grow in?
Trifolium macrocephalum grows in Rocky flats or slopes, with sagebrush, juniper, to mountain ridges.
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.