Official Vermont State Flower

Red Clover

(Trifolium pratense)

Adopted on February 1, 1895.

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No. 159 of the Acts of 1894, effective February 1, 1895, designated the Red Clover,? Trifolium pratense, as the official State Flower. Both an integral part of many a cultivated hay field and a common sight along numerous Vermont roadsides, the Red Clover is symbolic of Vermont's scenic countryside generally and of its dairy farms in particular. Oddly enough, however, Trifolium pratense is not a native of Vermont but was "naturalized" from Europe.

• Longevity: Perennial (acts as Biennial)
• Palatability: High
• Winter Hardiness: Good
• Drought Tolerance: Fair
• Cool or Warm Season: Cool
• Bloat Hazard: Yes
• Use and Comments: Excellent pasture renovation crop, short-termhay crop.
• Distribution in U.S.: Eastern half and Northwest.
• Height: 12-36 inches.
• Leaves: Palmately trifoliolate; leaflets not serrated; inverted V-shaped "water mark" usually present; large stipules; stems leaves and petioles pubescent.
• Inflorescence: Heads consisting of up to 125 flowers; rose purple or deep purplish-red; heads nested in 2-3 leaves.
• Roots: Taproot.
• Soil
  • Drainage: Somewhat Poorly Drained
  • Fertility: Medium
  • pH: 6.2-6.8
• Seed
  • Color: Pure yellow tp purple
  • Shape: Shortened mit
  • Pounds Per Bushel: 60
  • Seeds Per Pound: 275,000
  • Seeding Rate: 8-10 pounds PLS per acre.
  • Emergence Time (Days): 7
  • Optimum Germ. Temp. (F): 70

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