Trifolium occidentale is similar to the very common trifolium repens, differing in the reddish (rather than green) calyces, the shorter leaflets, and the sparsely hairy leaf stalks.
Common name:
Western clover
Family:
Scientific name:
Trifolium occidentale
Main flower color:
Range:
Coastal areas, mostly in Cornwall, also a few places in Wales, Devon and Ireland
Height:
Up to 10 cm
Habitat:
Dry grassland, sand dunes
Flowers:
Spherical clusters of small flowers with white corollas and red calyces (green at the base). All flowers become pendent when mature, hanging down from the tip of the stem. Pedicels are also red. Calyces are divided to a little less than half way, into narrow, reddish-brown lobes
Leaves:
Trifoliate, uniformly green; three nearly circular leaflets around 10 mm long, attached by short stalks that have a sparse hair covering
Season:
March to July
Rarity:
★★★★★