Herbs annual, 5–30 cm, pilose. Stems prostrate, ascending, or erect, branched. Leaves pal­mate; stipules ovate, 0.6–1 cm, margins entire or serrate, apex acuminate; petiole 2–5 cm; petiolules 1 mm; leaflets 3, blades obovate, 0.6–1.4 × 0.3–1.1 cm, base cun­eate, veins moderately thickened, margins denticulate, apex rounded, sometimes retuse, surfaces glabrous except on veins abaxially. Peduncles ± geniculate proximal to flowers, inflorescence appearing sideways or inverted, 3.5–10 cm. Inflorescences axillary or terminal, 5–40-flowered, globose, 1–2 × 1–2 cm; involucres minute. Pedicels reflexed, 2–3 mm; bracteoles ovate or lance­olate, 0.5 mm. Flowers 4.5–7 mm; calyx usually pink to magenta, campanulate, bilabiate, 3–4 mm, pilose, veins 5, slightly branched in lobes, tube 0.8–1 mm, lobes unequal, abaxial 3 lanceolate or linear, 0.8–1 mm, villous, adaxial 2 broadly triangular, 2.5–3 mm, orifice open; corolla creamy white, often pink-tinged, darkening in age, 4–4.5 mm, banner broadly ovate-rhombic, 4–4.5 × 3.8–4 mm, apex rounded, slightly erose. Legumes oblong, 3–4 mm. Seeds 2–4, yellow-brown to brown, globose to mitten-shaped, 1.1–1.6 mm, rugose. 2n = 16.

Phenology: Flowering Apr–Jun.
Habitat: Sandy soils in dry fields, lawns, open woods, disturbed ground, rocky slopes.
Elevation: 0–400 m.

Distribution

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Ala., Ark., Del., Fla., Ga., Kans., La., Miss., Mo., N.C., Okla., Pa., S.C., Tex., Va.

Discussion

Trifolium arvense Walter (1788), a later homonym of T. arvense Linnaeus (1753), was considered a synonym of T. carolinianum by M. Zohary and D. Heller (1984). Trifolium repens Walter (1788, not Linnaeus 1753) is likely also a synonym of T. carolinianum. The record of the species from Vermont is a waif.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.