Citation: L., Sp. Pl. 770 (1753).

Synonymy: Not Applicable

Common name: Rough clover.

Description:
Annual, stems rigid, flexuose, 5-25 cm, appressed-pubescent, numerous, prostrate to ascending; lower leaves on long petioles, the upper on shorter; leaflets obovate-cuneate, 5-10 mm long, coriaceous, denticulate, lateral veins recurved and prominent in the margins; stipules ovate or oblong, gradually subulate, acuminate, green- or purple-veined.

Flowers several (to 25 or more) in numerous sessile globose or ovoid heads 5-20 mm wide, attenuate and scarcely clasped at the base by the stipules; calyx persistent in fruit, to 8 mm long, leathery to woody; tube cylindrical, 2-3 mm long, more or less markedly 1 O-nerved, appressed-hairy, throat of the calyx reduced to a narrow slit by 2 lip-like usually bulging callosities on which the teeth are continued; calyx teeth unequal, rigid, spiny, lanceolate, glabrous inside, slightly recurved in fruit, the lowest longer than the tube; corolla whitish, 4-5 mm long, usually shorter than the calyx, persistent.

Pod obovoid, scarious, inserted, 1-seeded; seed ovoid, c. 1.5 mm long, yellow, smooth.

Image source: fig. 354C in Jessop J.P. & Toelken H.R. (Ed.) 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).

Published illustration: Ross-Craig (1954) Drawings Brit. Pl. 7:pl. 31.

Distribution:  S.Aust.: FR, EP, NL, MU, YP, SL, KI, SE.   W.Aust.; N.S.W.; Vic.; Tas.   New Zealand; native to Europe, widespread in south-west Asia. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: Aug. — Dec., depending on the temperature.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Taxonomic notes: Many ecologically specialised wild populations are quite distinct (in Europe) and merit species or infraspecific status. As the origin of our plants in unclear, it is at present impossible to fit the numerous local forms into the complex European systems.

Author: Not yet available