Subterranean clover

Trifolium subterraneum

Layer 5 · Ground cover
Nitrogen fixer

Status by region

No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.

Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).

Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.

About

Subterranean clover is a prostrate annual legume, native to the Mediterranean Basin. It is characterised by its unusual ability to push its own fruits into the ground after flowering, self-seeding. In a food forest, it plays the vital role of a winter and spring ground cover, fixing atmospheric nitrogen for the benefit of the ecosystem.

It can be planted now — September is one of the best months.

See which trees subterranean clover grows well with

These trees share this species' soil and climate — the pairing is inferred from conditions, not from a guild we have already seen.

No account needed.

Needs

Water: Low
Light: Full sun
Size: Prostrate herb up to 15 cm
Mature diameter: 0.4 m
Soils: Clay, Loam, Sandy
Climates: Atlantic coast, Hot, dry Mediterranean

Calendar

January
February
March
April
May — Harvest
June — Harvest
July
August
September — Planting
October — Planting
November — Planting
December

Harvest
Planting

Medicinal use: Young leaves and flowers can be consumed raw or cooked in small quantities.

Where to buy

Central trees worth considering

May work well together — same soil and climate, complementary layers. We have not seen this combination in a generated guild yet.

May grow well with

Suggestions worked out from growing conditions — same soil and climate, complementary layers and functions. These are not observed guilds; treat them as a starting point to try on your own land.