Trifolium michelianum (Balansa clover)

Extremely productive, nitrogen-fixing winter annual legume with small white-pink flowers. Grows on heavy clays to moderately sandy soils. Tolerant of acidity; mildly tolerant of salinity. Mature plants are tolerant of waterlogged soils and short periods of flooding. Prostrate, hollow stemmed plants form a dense, highly productive mat of extremely palatable forage. Use as cover crop, pasture, wildlife food plots, hay or silage, either in a monoculture or mixed with other species. Germinates quickly. Persists even under continuous, intensive grazing. Readily reseeds itself when allowed to set seed. Attractive pollinator and honeybee plant. Varieties listed below.

DISTRIBUTION / ADAPTATION

Trifolium michelianum (Balansa clover) map.png

INFORMATION & ATTRIBUTES

Family: Fabaceae

Duration: Annual

Growth Habit: Forb

Native Status: Introduced

Growth Form: Multi-branched rosette

Mature Height: 36 in. (w/ stems trailing up to 8 ft. long)

Bloom Color: White to pink

Bloom Period: Spring

Annual Precipitation: 

Drought Tolerance:

Shade Tolerance:

Fire Resistance:

Fire Tolerance:

Nitrogen fixation: Yes

Bloat: Yes

SOIL ADAPTATION

Coarse Texture: No

Medium Texture: Yes

Fine Texture: Yes

Salinity Tolerance: Yes

CaCO3 Tolerance: 

pH Range: 4.5-8.3


SEEDING NOTES

Seeds per Pound: 500,000

Seeding Rate: 3-8 lbs/acre

Season: Fall/Winter

Days to Germination: 


VARIETIES

FIXatioN - Produces huge amounts of biomass, suppressing weeds. Matures up to 14 days later than Dixie (Crimson clover, Trifolium incarnatum) and up to 28 days later than previously developed varieties, resulting in greater overall growth and productivity. Better recovery from grazing or cutting than crimson clover. More winter hardy than other varieties.