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Hare's-foot Clover

©Philip Precey

Hare's-foot clover

The downy hairs that cover the pale pink flowers of Hare's-foot clover give it the look of a Hare's paw - hence the common name. Look out for this clover around the coast and on dry grasslands.

Scientific name

Trifolium arvense

When to see

June to September

Species information

Statistics

Height: up to 25cm
Common.

About

Hare's-foot clover is a widespread plant of dry grasslands and sandy soils, inland and at the coast. The pale pink flowers appear from June until September and are covered in soft hairs, giving it the downy look of a Hare's or Rabbit's paw, hence the common name.

How to identify

Like other clovers, Hare's-foot clover has trefoil leaves, but with relatively narrow leaflets. The pale pink flowers are borne in oval heads. The hair that covers the flowers is a distinguishing feature of this clover.

Distribution

Found in coastal areas around the UK, as well as inland in Central and Eastern England.

Did you know?

There are around 30 native or naturalised clover species occurring in the UK, many of which provide nectar for butterflies and foodplants for their larvae.