Red clover field
by R. R. Smith [Public domain],
via Wikimedia Commons
Clover is the common name for plants in the genus Trifolium. The genus name refers to the fact that leaves are trifoliate (three leaves).
There are about 300 clover species. Some of these are cultivated as fodder crops (e.g. White clover, Red clover and Crimson clover).
Note that some plants in other genera are also called clovers (e.g. Melilotus, Medicago).
Names
Scientific
Trifolium spp.
English
Clover
Trefoil
Dutch
Klaver
Spanish
Trébol
French
Trèfle
German
Klee
Italian
Trifoglio
Taxonomy
Order
Fabales
Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Trifolium
Species
Trifolium spp. (Clover)
Crop categories
Cool temperate crops
Forage and fodder crops
Green manures
Legumes
Mediterranean crops
Minor crops
Subtropical crops
Temperate crops