Herbs annual or biennial, 10–30 cm, glabrous. Stems decum­bent, branched. Leaves pal­mate; stipules broadly ovate, 1.3–1.7 cm, margins entire or faintly denticulate, apex acu­minate; petiole 7–17 cm (distal­most 6–8 cm); petiolules 1–1.5 mm; leaflets 3, blades ovate or orbiculate, 0.8–3.5 × 0.5–1.9 cm, base cuneate, veins fine, margins dentate to denticulate, apex rounded or obcordate, surfaces glabrous. Peduncles 2.2–2.5 cm. Inflorescences terminal, 20–50-flowered, globose becoming subglobose or hemispheric, 1.2–2.5 × 1.8–2.7 cm; involucres a narrow rim. Pedicels reflexed in fruit, 5–7 mm; bracteoles broadly ovate, membranous, to 0.5 mm, truncate. Flowers 9–11 mm; calyx campanulate, 3–5 mm, sparsely pubescent or glabrous, veins 10, tube 1–2 mm, lobes equal, narrowly triangular to subulate, 2–3.7 mm, orifice open; corolla white, 9–10 mm, banner ovate-oblong, 9–10 × 6–8 mm, apex rounded or retuse. Legumes oblong, 3–4 mm. Seeds 2–4, yellow to brown, purple-mottled, globose, 1.2–1.5 mm, slightly rugose.

Phenology: Flowering Apr–May.
Habitat: Cedar glades.
Elevation: 150–300 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Ky.

Discussion

According to Chapel and Vincent, Trifolium kentuckiense, endemic to the Bluegrass region, has been found in only one population in each of Fayette and Franklin counties.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.