Trifolium monanthum subsp. parvum
Small carpet clover, Small Carpet Clover
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jim Morefield · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Trifolium monanthum subsp. parvum (Small carpet clover) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by . Key features: non-mat-forming, densely hairy, thick taproot.
Small carpet clover is a California native perennial found in the northern Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, and northeastern Sierra Nevada in pine forests, wet meadows, and along streams at elevations of 1,500 to 2,900 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces small white flowers in compact clusters of 1 to 9 blossoms with peduncles distinctively bent at the tip. Growing with dense, hairy stems emerging from a thickened taproot, it forms small clustered groups rather than spreading mats. Its leaves have rounded or notched leaflets, typically two to four times longer than wide, creating a delicate textural appearance. The plant's distinctive hairiness and compact growth form help it thrive in high-elevation mountain habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 45 sympatric species. Key features: non-mat-forming, densely hairy, thick taproot
Habitat and range
Habitat: Pine forest, wet meadows and along streams
Elevation: 1500-2900 m
California counties: Tulare, Calaveras, Placer, Fresno, Tuolumne, El Dorado, Alpine, Mariposa, Nevada, Plumas, Butte, Amador, Sierra, Mono, Madera, Inyo
Bloom period
Trifolium monanthum subsp. parvum blooms Jun-Aug.
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 monanthum subsp. parvum native to California?
Yes. Trifolium monanthum subsp. parvum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Trifolium monanthum subsp. parvum bloom?
Trifolium monanthum subsp. parvum blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Trifolium monanthum subsp. parvum grow?
Trifolium monanthum subsp. parvum occurs in Tulare, Calaveras, Placer, Fresno, Tuolumne, El Dorado, Alpine, Mariposa and other counties, at elevations of 1500-2900 m.
What plant family does Trifolium monanthum subsp. parvum belong to?
Trifolium monanthum subsp. parvum is in the Fabaceae family, genus Trifolium.
What habitat does Trifolium monanthum subsp. parvum grow in?
Trifolium monanthum subsp. parvum grows in Pine forest, wet meadows and along streams.
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.