Running Buffalo Clover (
Trifolium stoloniferum) is an
endangered speciesAn endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters. Also it could mean that due to deforestation there may be a lack of food and/or water...
of perennial
cloverClover , or trefoil, is a genus of about 300 species of plants in the pea family Fabaceae. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution; the highest diversity is found in the temperate Northern Hemisphere, but many species also occur in South America and Africa, including at high altitudes on...
native to the eastern and midwestern
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
This plant has erect, unbranched flowering stems, typically 10-50 cm (4-20 in) tall. The apex of the stem is topped by a round
flowerA flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants . The biological function of a flower is to mediate the union of male sperm with female ovum in order to produce seeds...
head, subtended by two
leavesIn botany, a leaf is an above-ground plant organ specialized for photosynthesis. For this purpose, a leaf is typically flat and thin. There is continued debate about whether the flatness of leaves evolved to expose the chloroplasts to more light or to increase the absorption of carbon dioxide. In...
. These apical leaves are typically larger than those found on stems without flowers. The flower heads are white, sometimes tinged with purple, and 2-2.5 cm diameter.
Like other clovers, Running Buffalo Clover has leaves divided into three leaflets.
Discussion
Ask a question about 'Running Buffalo Clover' Start a new discussion about 'Running Buffalo Clover' Answer questions from other users |
Running Buffalo Clover (
Trifolium stoloniferum) is an
endangered speciesAn endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters. Also it could mean that due to deforestation there may be a lack of food and/or water...
of perennial
cloverClover , or trefoil, is a genus of about 300 species of plants in the pea family Fabaceae. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution; the highest diversity is found in the temperate Northern Hemisphere, but many species also occur in South America and Africa, including at high altitudes on...
native to the eastern and midwestern
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
This plant has erect, unbranched flowering stems, typically 10-50 cm (4-20 in) tall. The apex of the stem is topped by a round
flowerA flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants . The biological function of a flower is to mediate the union of male sperm with female ovum in order to produce seeds...
head, subtended by two
leavesIn botany, a leaf is an above-ground plant organ specialized for photosynthesis. For this purpose, a leaf is typically flat and thin. There is continued debate about whether the flatness of leaves evolved to expose the chloroplasts to more light or to increase the absorption of carbon dioxide. In...
. These apical leaves are typically larger than those found on stems without flowers. The flower heads are white, sometimes tinged with purple, and 2-2.5 cm diameter.
Like other clovers, Running Buffalo Clover has leaves divided into three leaflets. It sends out long creeping runners (stolons) from its base, which grow along the ground and take root. The stems and leaves are hairless. It flowers from mid-May to June and fruits in July.
Habitat
The original habitat of this plant is believed to have been areas of rich
soilSoil is a natural body consisting of layers of mineral constituents of variable thicknesses, which differ from the parent materials in their morphological, physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics. It is composed of particles of broken rock that have been altered by chemical and...
s in open areas among forests and prairies. Grazing
bisonMembers of the genus Bison are large even-toed ungulates within the subfamily Bovinae. Two extant species and four extinct species are recognized...
probably maintained these open areas while migrating along established trails. The clover was apparently once widespread across much of the midwestern U.S.
Threats
The reasons for this plant's decline are not known for certain, but they are believed to be directly related to the disappearance of large
herbivoreA herbivore is an animal that is adapted to eat plants and not meat.Herbivory is a form of predation in which an organism consumes principally autotrophs such as plants, algae and photosynthesizing bacteria....
s from the plant's habitat. This species appears to have been dependent upon the woodland disturbance created by large animals, especially the bison. Many of the species' old records were in proximity to bison licks and trails. Other causes may include competition from introduced species and habitat loss.