Trifolium incarnatum

'Crimson Clover'

Fabaceae: an upright annual herb grows to 20-50, which is unbranched or branched only at the base. Found in forest margins, fields and roadsides. The flowers are produced throughout the spring and summer, are a rich red or crimson, congested on an elongated spike inflorescence 3-5cm tall and 1.5cm broad. Blooming from May to September. The leaves are trifoliate with a long petiole, each leaflet hairy, 8-16mm across. Native to most of Europe. Also found near the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall.

USES:

The seeds can be sprouted and eaten in salads. They can also be dried and ground into a nutritious flour. The dried flower heads are a tea substitute.

Used as a green manure. It is relatively fast growing, makes an excellent weed suppressing cover and fixes nitrogen. It is also used with grass seed mixes in soil reclamation projects.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in spring to early summer in situ. The seed can also be sown in early autumn as a winter green manure. Succeeds in a moist, well-drained soil in full sun, also succeeding in poor soils.

Great nectar plant.

HARVESTED: 2022

 
APPROX. 1000+ SEEDS