Trifolium alpinum
Trifolium alpinum
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
The plant prefers soils that are lime-deficient, comparatively nutrient-deficient, deep, warm and not too wet[1]. On lime-rich soils it only grows if there is a thick humus layer[1]. The pH must be low, with an optimum range between 4.5 and 5.4. There should be sufficient phosphorus in the soil for rapid juvenile development[1]. There should be no pathogenic nematodes of the gender Pratylenchus in the soil; otherwise total losses in seed multiplication will occur[1]. This species has a slow juvenile development and produces conspicuously little leaf mass. Thus, populations with acceptable weed infestation are only possible if there is mechanical weed control (weeding, brushing and hoeing between rows) optimally combined with chemical control[1]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[2]. When growing plants from seed, inoculation with soil from the site where the seed was collected, provides the necessary soil bacteria and stimulates the growth rate, as demonstrated in experiments[1].
Propagation
Seed - up to 85% of the seed has a hard seedcoat and benefits from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing. Seed can be sown in situ, but if it is in short supply then it might be better to sow it in pots in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts. Division in spring. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Trifolium+alpinum>
Pollinators
Insects
References
- [1]Site-Specific Grasses and Herbs - Seed production and use for restoration of mountain environments — Krautzer B.; Peratoner G.; Bozzo F. · Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; Rome · 2004 · http://www.fao.org/docrep/007/y5576e/y5576e00.htm#Contents · ISBN 92-5-105188-7 ↩︎Information on 25 species of plants used for restoring mountain pastures. It can be downloaded from the internet.
- [2]IUCN Red List of Threatened Species — http://www.iucnredlist.org/ ↩︎A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
- [3]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.