Botanical name: Trifolium repens
Common Names
Dutch Clover, Ladino Clover
A perennial legume with most growth in spring, summer and autumn. Suited to a wide range of soils, being relatively tolerant of acidic soils. Useful species on infertile land (provided the soil is well fertilised with phosphorus and sulphur). Suited to short or medium‑term pasture and irrigated areas. For survival, it needs good summer rainfall or irrigation.
It has a high nutritive value and some varieties tolerate heavy grazing. Sow on good moisture in mid autumn to early winter (dryland) and /or spring (irrigated and tablelands).
Plant habit: Larger leaved varieties tend to be higher yielding than smaller leaved types. Note that these categories are broad and the characteristics of leaf size and stolon density are continuous (i.e. a variety listed as ‘medium’ leaf size may be between a medium and a large leaf size. Low growing types tend to be more tolerant of sheep grazing, while more erect varieties tend to be more suited to dairy cattle. The greater the stolon density the greater the variety’s ability to spread and survive, especially under close grazing (e.g. sheep vs cattle).
Seasonal production: Overall productivity (especially winter) and persistence: Consult local trial information where available.
SIMILAR SPECIES
Balansa Clover
SCENARIOS AND SOLUTIONS:
- In garden beds: spot spray Apparent Ravage.
- In couch & kikuyu lawns: use any of the product recommended below.
- In buffalo grass: use Apparent Bromoxynil + MCPA.
Reference: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/pastures-and-rangelands/species-varieties/white-clover
