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Trifolium tomentosum L.
Woolly Clover

Reference
Sp.Pl. [Linnaeus] 2:771-772 (1753)
Conservation Code
Not threatened
Naturalised Status
Alien to Western Australia
Name Status
Current

Prostrate to ascending annual, herb, 0.02-0.3 m high, 0.05-0.2 m wide. Fl. pink, Aug to Nov or Feb to Mar. White sand, red-brown sandy clay,brown clay loam, gravel, limestone. Valley slopes, dunes, road verges, cultivated areas.

Amanda Spooner, Descriptive Catalogue, 23 August 2007

Distribution

IBRA Regions
Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie, Esperance Plains, Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest, Mallee, Swan Coastal Plain, Warren.
IBRA Subregions
Fitzgerald, Geraldton Hills, Katanning, Merredin, Northern Jarrah Forest, Perth, Southern Cross, Southern Jarrah Forest, Warren, Western Mallee.
IMCRA Regions
Leeuwin-Naturaliste.
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Albany, Brookton, Bruce Rock, Cockburn, Coorow, Denmark, Dowerin, Gingin, Gnowangerup, Jerramungup, Kalamunda, Kent, Kondinin, Lake Grace, Melville, Merredin, Mukinbudin, Narembeen, Narrogin, Northam, Northampton, Perth, Plantagenet, Quairading, Ravensthorpe, Rockingham, South Perth, Stirling, Swan, Victoria Park, Waroona, Wickepin, Williams, Yilgarn, York.

Management Notes (for the Swan NRM Region)

Alternative Names. Woolly-head clover.

General Biology. Growth form. Herb. Life form. Annual. Reproduction. Seed. Dispersal. Agricultural activities.

Notes. Widely naturalised in valleys of the WA Wheatbelt. Found in lower rainfall areas, most commonly on soils prone to waterlogging. Prefers alkaline soils and has some salinity tolerance. Has low germination rates in unsuitable environmental conditions.

Additional information. Origin. Macronesia, north Africa, temperate Asia, Europe. Similar exotic species. Trifolium species.

Suggested method of management and control. Spot spray with 1% glyphosate before flowering, otherwise spot spray Lontrel® 3 ml/10 L (150 ml/ha) up to 6 leaf stage. Read the manufacturers' labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. For further information consult the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to determine the status of permits for your situation or state.

Management Calendar

Calendar Type Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Comments
Germination           Y Y Y          
Active Growth U U U     Y Y Y Y Y Y U  
Flowering   Y Y         Y Y Y Y    
Fruiting     Y             Y Y O  
Optimum Treatment           U Y Y O        

Legend: Y = Yes, regularly, O = Occasionally, U = Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.

 

References

  • Bennett, S.J. (1999) Ecotypic variation between and within two populations of Trifolium tomentosum (woolly clover) from Syria and Western Australia: its success as a colonising species. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 50 (8): 1443 - 1450.
  • Brown, K. & Brooks, K. (2002) Bushland Weeds: A Practical Guide to their Management. Environmental Weeds Action Network, Greenwood.
  • Can, E., Celiktas, N., Hatipoglu, R. & Avci, S. (2009) Breaking seed dormancy of some annual Medicago and Trifolium species by different treatments. Turkish Journal of Field Crops, 14 (2): 72-78.
  • Gibberd, M.R., Colmer, T.D. & Cocks, P.S. (2002) Root porosity and oxygen movement in waterlogging-tolerant Trifolium tomentosum and intolerant Trifolium glomeratum. Plant, Cell & Environment, 22 (9): 1161 - 1168.
  • Hackney, B., Dear, B. & Crocker, G. (2007) Primefact 651 August 2007: Naturalised pasture legumes. NSW Department of Primary Industries URL: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au - Accessed May 2010.
  • Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. & Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. 2nd Edition. The Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park.
  • Nichols, P.G.H., Stockdale, M., Malik, A.I. & Colmer, T.D. (2008) Salt tolerance in germinating seedlings of annual pasture legumes. In 2nd International Salinity Forum. Salinity, water and society - global issues, local action, 30 March - 3 April 2008, Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide. URL: http://www.internationalsalinityforum.org/Final%20Papers/nichols_A7.pdf.
  • Tuttobene, R., Gresta, F., Sortino, O., Frasca Polara, F., Dipasquale, M. & Abbate, V. (2008) Characterization of native populations of Trifolium spp. Options Mediterraneennes, A (79): 395-398.
  • USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program (2009) Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. URL: https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysimple.aspx - Accessed October 2009.