Trifolium monanthum subsp. tenerum
Delicate carpet clover, Delicate Carpet Clover
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jim Morefield · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Trifolium monanthum subsp. tenerum (Delicate carpet clover) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by . Key features: acute leaflet tips, High Sierra habitat.
Delicate carpet clover is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in pine forests, wet meadows, and moist rocky slopes at elevations of 1,600 to 3,300 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces small white flowers in compact clusters of 1 to 7 blooms with peduncles that curve sharply at the tip. Growing with densely hairy stems emerging from a central crown, it reaches moderate height with a thickened taproot and no spreading rhizomes. Its leaves feature distinctive trifoliate structure with leaflets two to five times longer than wide, each leaflet ending in a sharp acute or acuminate point. The plant's delicate, hairy texture and precise leaf structure make it a subtle but charming addition to high-elevation mountain habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 31 sympatric species. Key features: acute leaflet tips, High Sierra habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Pine forest, wet meadows, moist rocky slopes
Elevation: 1600-3300 m
California counties: Inyo, Fresno, Tulare, Mono, Tuolumne, Riverside, Placer
Bloom period
Trifolium monanthum subsp. tenerum 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. tenerum native to California?
Yes. Trifolium monanthum subsp. tenerum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Trifolium monanthum subsp. tenerum bloom?
Trifolium monanthum subsp. tenerum blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Trifolium monanthum subsp. tenerum grow?
Trifolium monanthum subsp. tenerum occurs in Inyo, Fresno, Tulare, Mono, Tuolumne, Riverside, Placer, at elevations of 1600-3300 m.
What plant family does Trifolium monanthum subsp. tenerum belong to?
Trifolium monanthum subsp. tenerum is in the Fabaceae family, genus Trifolium.
What habitat does Trifolium monanthum subsp. tenerum grow in?
Trifolium monanthum subsp. tenerum grows in Pine forest, wet meadows, moist rocky 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.