Clovers
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Clovers have leaves in sets of three, and compact flower heads that consist of many tiny, pea-like, bilaterally symmetrical (2-sided) flowers. Some species have flowers that make excellent tea, and a few have edible flowers. Avoid bitter flowers that are turning brown, and choose those with the brightest color, which are tastiest.
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Red Clover (Trifolium praetense) |
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This is the tastiest of the clovers. Growing throughout the US, it's easiest to pick in late spring, when the greatest number of high-quality flowers bloom. It grows in meadows and on lawns, at its best in full sunlight.
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Red Clover Flower Head
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Pour a cup of boiling water over handful of red clover flower heads, cover, and steep 20 minutes. Strain out the flowers and enjoy a tasty, healthful tea. You may also pick the flowers from the flower head and use them raw or cooked. They taste a little like sweet string beans.
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Red Clover Flower Head and Leaves
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Note the prominent arrow-shaped, light-colored chevrons on the leaves. They help guide pollinator insects to the flower head.
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White Clover Leaves
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White clover has 3 oval, finely toothed leaves that arise from a separate stalk from the flower head. Some people eat the very young leaves, although they may be hard to digest. Wood sorrel, with 3 heart-shaped leaves, is a completely different, unnrelated plant.
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White Clover Flower Head (T. repens)
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These flowers also make a good herb tea, although red clover is less labor intensive to collect and more healthful. This common, widespread plant also favors sunny meadows and lawns.
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White Sweet Clover in Flower (Melilotus alba)
This species also has leaves in sets of threes, and 2-sided flowers that are white. It grows in sunny fields and blooms in the summer. |
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White Sweet Clover Flower Stalk
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These flowers grow on a long, erect flower stalk, rather than on a globular flower head. You can also use them to make tea. Avoid plants that have begun to decay, which are poisonous.
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White Sweet Clover in Flower (Melilotus officinalis)
This plant is very similar to yellow sweet clover, except for the flower color |
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Note the 2-parted symmetry of these flowers, with a large lip below a keel, characteristic of all clover flowers (as well as alfalfa).
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