Edge/ Rabbit Foot Clover

COMMON NAME: Rabbit’s-Foot Clover

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Old Field Clover

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Trifolium arvense

FAMILY: Fabaceae

COMMUNITY: Edge

STATUS: Naturalized from Europe

LIFESPAN: Annual

HEIGHT: to 18 inches

FLOWERING TIME: May to October

FRUITING TIME: June to late October

DISTRIBUTION: Canada to Florida & west to Texas ~ Statewide in New Jersey

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Stems soft, hairy ~ leaflets narrow and lance shaped ~ Flower small whitish or pinkish clusters

GENERAL INFORMATION: This family (Fabaceae) commonly called the Pea or Bean Family consists of 459 genera and 14,400 species of herbs, shrubs, vines and trees found in temperate, cold and tropical regions.  The family is of major economic importance, providing edible beans and peas for animals, ornamentals, and dyes. Rabbit’s-Foot Clover is cultivated for animal food. Members of this genus, trifolium, have long been known as a luck plant because of the religious connotations in its trifoliate leaves, which symbolize the nature of the trinity.  In the past it has been worn as a talisman to deflect the dangers of witchcraft and sorcery.  The notion that a four-leaved clover would bring particular fortunes probably arose from its association with the cross. These aberrations in leaf form has been relied upon for all kinds of magical purposes, including divination and the protection of crops and domestic animals. The clovers are edible plants and can be used in salads, as cooked greens, tea and flour.  Although the clovers are not among the choicest of wild foods, clovers are rich in protein.  The flower heads and tender young leaves can be eaten if soaked for several hours in salty water or boiled 5-10 minutes.  The dried flower heads make a healthful tea, usually mixed with other teas.  The dried flower heads can also be ground into a nutritious flour.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.