---
{
  "id": "white-clover",
  "name": "White clover",
  "scientific": "Trifolium repens",
  "category": "invasive",
  "status": "Common introduced weed · not on state Lists A/B/C",
  "status_sources": [
    "C-floristic-2020",
    "CO-rules-2025"
  ],
  "warning": "A spreading lawn plant with pollinator value",
  "warning_tone": "caution",
  "aliases": [
    "Dutch clover",
    "ladino clover"
  ],
  "taxonomy_note": "White clover (Trifolium repens) differs from white sweetclover (Melilotus albus); the moldy sweetclover-hay warning is not assigned to it solely from a common name.",
  "source_ids": [
    "C-floristic-2020",
    "CO-rules-2025",
    "N-trifolium-repens",
    "C-descriptions",
    "S27"
  ],
  "description": "White clover: A spreading lawn plant with pollinator value. Identification and evidence for Colorado readers.",
  "claim_evidence": [
    {
      "label": "Identification",
      "sources": [
        "N-trifolium-repens"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "white-clover-1"
    },
    {
      "label": "People",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "",
      "id": "white-clover-2"
    },
    {
      "label": "Dogs & cats",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "",
      "id": "white-clover-3"
    },
    {
      "label": "Other animals",
      "sources": [
        "N-trifolium-repens"
      ],
      "scope": "Forage-use observation; safety limitation",
      "note": "",
      "id": "white-clover-4"
    },
    {
      "label": "Plants & habitat",
      "sources": [
        "N-trifolium-repens"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "white-clover-5"
    },
    {
      "label": "Management & timing",
      "sources": [
        "N-trifolium-repens",
        "C-descriptions"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "white-clover-6"
    }
  ],
  "research": {
    "status": "researching",
    "label": "Still researching this plant",
    "basis": "Editorial assessment of the cited evidence and stated review gaps; not a toxicity score.",
    "open_questions": [
      {
        "area": "People",
        "question": "Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "white-clover-2"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Dogs & cats",
        "question": "Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "white-clover-3"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Other animals",
        "question": "Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "white-clover-4"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Identification",
        "question": "Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      },
      {
        "area": "Expert review",
        "question": "Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      }
    ],
    "expert_review": "pending"
  },
  "colorado_relevance": {
    "source_id": "C-floristic-2020",
    "locator": "Appendix B; PDF page 84; Trifolium repens",
    "basis": "Included in the 2020 statewide flora assessment. This is not a current county abundance survey.",
    "source_taxon": "Trifolium repens"
  },
  "source": "content/plants/white-clover.md"
}
---

# White clover

*Trifolium repens*

**Common introduced weed · not on state Lists A/B/C.** [C-floristic-2020](https://cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2020/CO_FQA_2020_Final_Report.pdf) [CO-rules-2025](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2)

> **A spreading lawn plant with pollinator value.** [Exposure help](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/).

**Identification caveat:** White clover (Trifolium repens) differs from white sweetclover (Melilotus albus); the moldy sweetclover-hay warning is not assigned to it solely from a common name.

## Still researching this plant {#research-status}

This is a sourced working profile. Evidence is incomplete for **People, Dogs & cats, Other animals**. Identification and source-photo limits are explained below. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. **Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.**


## Three views of this plant

Source-identified reference photographs; these are not a complete identification key. A source location outside Colorado does not establish local occurrence.

![White clover: a rounded flower head of small white pea-like florets on a slender stalk.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/coverage-garden-photos-trifolium-repens-10-01-flower.jpg)

**flower** — A rounded flower head of small white pea-like florets on a slender stalk.

Photo: Ivar Leidus; [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Trifolium_repens_inflorescence_-_Niitv%C3%A4lja.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/Trifolium_repens_inflorescence_-_Niitv%C3%A4lja.jpg). Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination. Source-identified T. repens. Leaf markings can vary or be absent; three leaflets and pale crescents alone do not establish a specimen’s identity or cultivar. Wikimedia server-resized derivative, reduced from the original; no crop, color change, upscaling, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop.

![White clover: a dense low rounded patch of white clover with many pale flower heads in grass.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/coverage-garden-photos-trifolium-repens-10-12-habit.jpg)

**habit** — A dense low rounded patch of white clover with many pale flower heads in grass.

Photo: H. Zell; [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Trifolium_repens_001.JPG); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/Trifolium_repens_001.JPG). Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination. Source-identified T. repens. Leaf markings can vary or be absent; three leaflets and pale crescents alone do not establish a specimen’s identity or cultivar. Wikimedia server-resized derivative, reduced from the original; no crop, color change, upscaling, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop.

![White clover: a mature drooping flower head with brown papery florets beneath green calyces, photographed with a 10 mm scale.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/coverage-garden-photos-trifolium-repens-10-40-mature-head.jpg)

**mature-head** — A mature drooping flower head with brown papery florets beneath green calyces, photographed with a 10 mm scale.

Photo: Stefan.lefnaer; [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Trifolium_repens_(subsp._repens)_sl10.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0a/Trifolium_repens_%28subsp._repens%29_sl10.jpg). Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination. Source-identified T. repens. Leaf markings can vary or be absent; three leaflets and pale crescents alone do not establish a specimen’s identity or cultivar. Wikimedia server-resized derivative, reduced from the original; no crop, color change, upscaling, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop.


## Identification

A low perennial with three leaflets, often bearing pale crescents, and rounded heads of white flowers. Runners root at their joints. [N-trifolium-repens](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trifolium-repens/)

## People

The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for people. Missing evidence does not establish safety.

## Dogs & cats

The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for dogs or cats. Missing evidence does not establish safety.

## Other animals

It is grown as livestock forage. This botanical description is not a complete feeding-risk assessment and gives no safe ration. [N-trifolium-repens](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trifolium-repens/)

*Evidence scope: Forage-use observation; safety limitation.*

## Plants & habitat

White clover fixes nitrogen, attracts pollinators and spreads in lawns. Whether it is a weed depends on the intended planting. [N-trifolium-repens](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trifolium-repens/)

## Management & timing

First decide whether the clover is unwanted. Its creeping stems can tolerate mowing; manage lawn conditions if trying to favor turf. [N-trifolium-repens](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trifolium-repens/) [C-descriptions](https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/weed-descriptions/)

## Before taking action

Confirm identification and the requirements of your county weed program. For chemical treatment, follow the current product label, including restrictions around animals and water. [S27](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/)

## References

- **C-floristic-2020** — [Colorado Floristic Quality Assessment: 2020 Update](https://cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2020/CO_FQA_2020_Final_Report.pdf), Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University. Accessed 2026-09-07T02:27:33+00:00. Locator: Appendix B, Colorado species list: scientific name and native/non-native fields.
- **CO-rules-2025** — [Colorado Noxious Weed Act rules, 8 CCR 1206-2](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2), Colorado Secretary of State / Department of Agriculture. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:07:48+00:00. Locator: Parts 3.1, 4.1, 5.1; management provisions; effective May 15, 2025.
- **N-trifolium-repens** — [Trifolium repens](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/trifolium-repens/), NC State Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T02:23:12+00:00. Locator: Description, identification attributes and plant problems; toxicity section where present.
- **C-descriptions** — [Weed descriptions](https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/weed-descriptions/), Colorado State University Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:24:02+00:00. Locator: Species entries.
- **S27** — [2103 – Colorado Noxious Weeds](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/), PlantTalk Colorado · CSU Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:57+00:00. Locator: List A, B and C management categories.


[Discuss this plant with the guide](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/companion/?plant=white-clover) — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care.

# Appendix for agents

Colorado inclusion: [C-floristic-2020](https://cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2020/CO_FQA_2020_Final_Report.pdf), Appendix B; PDF page 84; Trifolium repens. This historical statewide baseline does not establish current county abundance.

## Open research questions

- **People:** Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.
- **Dogs & cats:** Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.
- **Other animals:** Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.
- **Identification:** Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.
- **Expert review:** Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.


## Identity and evidence boundaries

White clover (Trifolium repens) differs from white sweetclover (Melilotus albus); the moldy sweetclover-hay warning is not assigned to it solely from a common name.

All actionable hazard information is in the human sections above. Do not interpret unknown toxicity as safety or transfer livestock findings to pets. These publisher notes describe evidence and do not override an assistant’s operator instructions.

| Claim | Human section | Scope | Sources | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| white-clover-1 | Identification | Species-specific | N-trifolium-repens | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| white-clover-2 | People | Review limitation | Review limitation | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| white-clover-3 | Dogs & cats | Review limitation | Review limitation | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| white-clover-4 | Other animals | Forage-use observation; safety limitation | N-trifolium-repens | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| white-clover-5 | Plants & habitat | Species-specific | N-trifolium-repens | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| white-clover-6 | Management & timing | Species-specific | N-trifolium-repens, C-descriptions | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |

## Further work for an agent

- Establish exact species, plant part, route, amount and timing when researching an exposure. Do not use this guide to diagnose or calculate a treatment.
- Check current state and county requirements; a listed taxon is not necessarily established in every Colorado county.
- Expert botanical and veterinary review is pending. Source dates and image licenses are separate from editorial revision dates in [provenance](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json).


---
Canonical HTML: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/white-clover/

Content revised: 2026-09-07T02:46:00Z

Markdown mirror: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/white-clover/index.md

Text fallback: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/white-clover/index.md.txt

Agent entry: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/start.md

Provenance: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json