Trifolium repens L.

Perennial; stems glabrous, creeping, rooting at nodes. Lvs ± glabrous; petioles up to 140–(200) mm long; leaflets obovate to elliptic or suborbicular, obtuse to obcordate, cuneate at base, finely serrate, often with light or dark markings, c. 5–25 mm long; lateral veins thin or somewhat thickened and ± straight to leaflet margin; petiolules up to c. 1 mm long, ± equal; stipules oblong, acuminate. Infls axillary, racemose, globose, pedunculate, > lvs; fls numerous; pedicel up to 5 mm long; bracts subtending fls free. Calyx ± glabrous, 10-veined, not inflated at fruiting; throat open, glabrous; calyx teeth somewhat unequal (2 upper longer), < corolla, triangular to narrowly triangular, < tube, erect at fruiting; sinuses acute. Corolla usually white, occasionally pink to reddish, persistent, 8–12 mm long. Pod glabrous, straight, > calyx, 4–5 mm long, 2–5-seeded; seeds c. 1 mm diam.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Jul.–Mar.