Origin - First cultivated in northern Europe.

Plant Characteristics:

Root system - Well developed tap root with many small roots contributes to drought tolerance and ease of inoculation.

Stems - Strong, upright woody stems, high in fiber.  A better hay than grazing plant.

Leaves - Palatable and nutritious.

Flower head - The pink to red flower head is made up of many (100 or more) small typical legume flowers.

Soil Adaptation: Will grow on wide variety of soil types, from sandy loams to silty clay loams of from moderate to high levels of fertility. Red clover is relatively easy to establish and will grow on soils too acid or too wet for alfalfa. It is a short-lived perennial which persists for only one and a half to three years. It is susceptible to disease.