African clover
Trifolium africanum Ser.
African clover forms a low, densely hairy perennial, usually about 10–25 cm tall. Numerous stems may stand upright or lie along the ground. Its compact stature and reddish flower heads distinguish its appearance from the familiar white clover of lawns, while the leaf arrangement immediately reveals the shared clover pattern. SANBI PlantZAfrica: Trifolium africanum
Botanical name
Trifolium africanum Ser. is accepted in Fabaceae, with varieties africanum and lydenburgense recognized by Kew. Kew Plants of the World Online: Trifolium africanum
Recognizing the plant
Each leaf divides into three narrow leaflets. Rounded flower heads measure roughly 10–15 mm across and contain many individual purple to brick-red flowers, each about 8–10 mm long. A broad upper petal, called the standard, rises above the smaller wing and keel petals. The fruits project beyond the persistent calyx and contain two yellow-green seeds. SANBI PlantZAfrica: Trifolium africanum
Bloom window
South Africa
In South Africa, flowering is recorded during the summer months, from November to March. SANBI PlantZAfrica: Trifolium africanum
Native range
The species is native to southern Africa, including South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini. It occupies damp ground, wetland margins, stream banks and some disturbed places rather than being restricted to dry grassland. Kew Plants of the World Online: Trifolium africanumSANBI PlantZAfrica: Trifolium africanum
Botanical sources
Reviewed 2026-10-11. Seasonal development varies with location and growing conditions.