Trifolium piorkowskii
Maverick clover
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Trifolium piorkowskii (Maverick clover) is a native California herb in the Fabaceae family, recognized by .2 rare species with no sympatric congeners.
Maverick clover is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in scattered locations in the central Coast Ranges and northern Sierra Nevada foothills in vernal pools, stream banks, and volcanic flats with blue oak and chaparral at elevations of 300 to 800 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces creamy white to pinkish flowers in compact heads with 3 to 19 blooms. Growing with erect or ascending stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it develops simple to sparsely branched stems that are nearly hairless. Its leaves have 10 to 19 millimeter leaflets that are oblanceolate to obovate, with margins that are nearly entire or slightly toothed toward the leaf tips. The fruit develops with a small stalk-like base and contains one to two smooth seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated - CNPS 1B.2 rare species with no sympatric congeners
Habitat and range
Habitat: Scattered to locally abundant in vernal pools, stream banks, volcanic flats, open rocky ground, with blue oak, chaparral, or pine
Elevation: 300-800 m
Bloom period
Trifolium piorkowskii blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 piorkowskii native to California?
Yes. Trifolium piorkowskii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Trifolium piorkowskii bloom?
Trifolium piorkowskii blooms Apr-May.
What plant family does Trifolium piorkowskii belong to?
Trifolium piorkowskii is in the Fabaceae family, genus Trifolium.
Is Trifolium piorkowskii rare or endangered?
Trifolium piorkowskii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Trifolium piorkowskii grow in?
Trifolium piorkowskii grows in Scattered to locally abundant in vernal pools, stream banks, volcanic flats, open rocky ground, with blue oak, chaparral, or pine.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.