Red Clover and Alfalfa

Red clover and alfalfa are two kinds of hay crops originally from Europe. They are commonly planted, especially alfalfa, in fields here in the Mid-Atlantic States for farm animal feed in winter. These perennials, along with other kinds of wild, flowering plants, also established themselves along country roadsides where they grow and have lovely blooms from late May through much of the summer every year, between mowings in some places. Together they offer beauty along rural roads.

Red clover has three deep-green leaflets on each stem and each leaflet has paler markings, making their foliage lush and lovely. The three leaflets give this plant the genus name of Trifolium.

The rounded pink heads of florets, perched on stems up to two feet tall, offer a pretty contrast to the leaves. This year (2014) red clover is blossoming in abundance along country roads where they are easily viewed.

Alfalfa has traits in common with red clover, though the present plant is in the Medicago genus. Alfalfa has three dark-green leaflets, but they are longer and thinner than those on clover. Alfalfa has florets of flowers, but they are looser than those on clover.

Alfalfa has lavender-blue blooms that have a sweet fragrance. Those attractive blossoms perch on top of stalks up to two feet high.

A variety of butterflies, bees and other kinds of insects sip nectar from red clover and alfalfa flowers in fields and along country roadsides. Those feeding insects add more beauty to the blooms and roadside shoulders throughout most of each summer.

Red clover and alfalfa respond to mowing by producing new batches of fresh flowers. Insects, therefore, have a supply of nectar from that vegetation all summer.

White-tailed deer, cottontail rabbits, woodchucks, Canada geese and other kinds of wildlife nibble red clover and alfalfa foliage. Those creatures add more interest to hay fields and roadsides.

Look more closely for red clover and alfalfa plants along country roads in summer. They help make a trip through farmland more enjoyable.

Red Clover photo courtesy of Jamie Richmond
Alfalfa photo courtesy of Luigi Stano