Clover belongs to the legume family (Fabaceae), known for its ability to improve soil health. Numerous species thrive across Texas’s varied landscapes, confirming that clover grows well in the state. These species range from low-growing lawn varieties to tall field crops, adapting to both the humid eastern and drier western areas. Clover is cultivated for agricultural benefits and appears frequently in residential areas, influencing farming and lawn care.
Common Clover Species Found in Texas
White Dutch Clover (Trifolium repens) is a frequently encountered, low-growing perennial that often establishes itself in turfgrass. It features small, rounded leaflets and produces characteristic white or light pink blooms, spreading easily through creeping stems called stolons. Although often treated as a weed in manicured lawns, its tolerance for drought and low-nitrogen soils makes it highly resilient across North and Central Texas.
Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum) is a widely planted, introduced winter annual distinguished by striking, cone-shaped crimson-red flower heads. This species can grow up to three feet tall and is primarily utilized as a cover crop and forage for livestock in higher rainfall areas, particularly east of Interstate 35. It is commonly seeded along highways in East Texas, creating a vibrant display before dying back in the summer heat.
Sweet Clover (Melilotus species) appears across the state, including biennial yellow-flowered types and annual white-flowered varieties like Hubam. These plants are notably taller, sometimes reaching up to eight feet, and are adapted to the fertile Blackland Prairie and other prairie soils. Bur Clover (Medicago polymorpha) is a cool-season annual with yellow flowers that produces small, coiled, bur-like seed pods. It is often found in Central and West Texas where it is valued as a nutritious winter forage.
Regional Variations in Texas Growth
The vast geographic expanse of Texas results in significant regional differences in clover growth, primarily governed by moisture availability and soil composition. East and Central Texas, which receive higher annual rainfall, support a wider range of clover species. The acidic, sandy soils of East Texas favor certain varieties, while the deep, fertile soils of the Blackland Prairie are well-suited for high-yielding species like White Sweet Clover.
Conversely, the drier conditions and alkaline soils of West and South Texas present a more challenging environment. In these regions, growth is limited to drought-tolerant varieties, such as Bur Clover, which act as winter annuals. High soil temperatures in areas like the Rio Grande Valley can inhibit clover, sometimes requiring irrigation for successful establishment.
Clover’s Ecological Role and Management
Clover’s most significant ecological contribution stems from its partnership with Rhizobium bacteria, which reside in specialized root nodules. This symbiotic relationship allows for nitrogen fixation, converting atmospheric nitrogen gas into ammonium, a form usable by plants. This process naturally enriches the soil, often providing 100 to 250 pounds of nitrogen per acre per year, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.
Clover also serves as a valuable cover crop that helps prevent soil erosion and provides high-protein forage for livestock and wildlife. Its flowering heads feed pollinators, and its deep root systems help break up compacted soil, improving water infiltration.
Managing clover depends entirely on its intended use, as it can be either a cultivated asset or a pervasive weed in turfgrass. To encourage growth, avoid applying high-nitrogen fertilizers, which signal that the plant does not need to fix its own nitrogen. Seeding cool-season annuals like Crimson Clover in the fall allows them to establish before summer heat arrives.
When clover is considered a weed in a turf lawn, its presence often indicates that the grass is stressed or the soil is low in nitrogen. Control can be achieved using a selective post-emergent broadleaf herbicide, or by applying pre-emergent herbicides in the fall. Maintaining a dense, well-fertilized turfgrass stand is a non-chemical control method, as healthy grass will outcompete the clover for light and nutrients.