Flower profile

Rose clover

Trifolium hirtum

Rose clover (Trifolium hirtum) is a flowering plant in the Fabaceae family, introduced in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly March–May across the U.S.

Not native to California

Rose clover is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. In California it's most often seen in bloom in March–May.

9states where USDA records it

12,510CA sightings*

12,698U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: California

Quick look

Trifolium hirtum, commonly known as rose clover, is a species of flowering plant in the legume family, Fabaceae. It is native to Eurasia and North Africa, and has been introduced and cultivated elsewhere.
From Wikipedia's article Trifolium hirtum, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Fabaceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a annual life cycle. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 9 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
NatureServe lists it as not native to California. ^NatureServe
In California, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in March–May. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as red. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as early spring. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 0.8 ft. ^{USDA PLANTS}
iNaturalist has 12,510 research-grade sightings of it in California, ranking #66 among the 178 flowers on our California list. ^iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In California, most flowering sightings come in March–May.

Flowering records by month in California (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (6,132 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA): Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. ^{USFWS ECOS}
NatureServe global: GNR Not yet ranked worldwide. ^NatureServe
California: Not listed Not on California state-listed endangered, threatened and rare plants (14 CCR § 670.2), per CDFW's CNDDB list (July 2026). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in California. ^{CNDDB listed plants (July 2026)}
Rare elsewhere: No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list. For context only: ASPCA lists a related species, Trifolium hybridum (“Alsike Clover”), as non-toxic to dogs and cats. That doesn't tell us about this species, so keep pets away to be safe. ^ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records rose clover in 9 states.

AKMEVTNHWAIDMTNDMNILWIMINYRIMAORNVWYSDIAINOHPANJCTCAUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDEAZNMKSARTNNCSCDCOKLAMSALGAHITXFL

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alabama, California, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia.

California counties with USDA records: Alameda, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Contra Costa, Fresno, Glenn, Kern, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Shasta, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tehama, Tuolumne, Yolo, Yuba.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Rose clover a medium shade tolerance, medium drought tolerance and medium moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 5.0 to 7.5 and winter lows down to 10 °F.

Shade tolerance: Medium
Drought tolerance: Medium
Moisture use: Medium
Soil textures it is adapted to: medium
Soil pH range: 5.0 to 7.5
Minimum temperature tolerated: 10 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum): 160
Annual precipitation range: 10 to 20 inches
Minimum root depth: 10 inches
Salinity tolerance: Low
Fertility requirement: Low
Growth rate: Rapid
Active growth period: Fall, Winter and Spring
Fruit or seed: Brown · Spring to Spring
Can be propagated by: seed
Commercial availability: Routinely Available

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for TRHI4. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 37 counties across 6 states; the most are in California (31), Louisiana (2), Florida (1).

Other Trifolium on Bloomipedia (7): White clover, Red clover, Hop trefoil, Rabbitfoot clover, Tomcat clover, Alsike clover, Reversed clover.

More from the Fabaceae family (114 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Lupines, Eastern redbud, Purple crownvetch, Bird's-foot trefoil, Partridge pea, White sweetclover, Common vetch, Honey mesquite.

More California flowers

Deerweed

Acmispon glaber

Native

🌼 Blooms in CA: March–June

Pacific pea

Lathyrus vestitus

Native

🌼 Blooms in CA: February–May

Small melilot

Melilotus indicus

Introduced

🌼 Blooms in CA: March–May

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile TRHI4.
iNaturalist, Trifolium hirtum: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Trifolium hirtum (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
California: California state-listed endangered, threatened and rare plants (14 CCR § 670.2), per CDFW's CNDDB list (July 2026).
California: California noxious weed species (3 CCR § 4500).
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
NatureServe Explorer, Trifolium hirtum (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: ASPCA.
Photo: Chuck Wilson via iNaturalist · CC0 · resized.