White Clover (Trifolium repens).
White Clover (Trifolium repens) is a common creeping perennial weed of turf grass. You see this weed in the Spring, Summer and Autumn. It is easy to identify by its distinctive green, trifoliate compound leaves.
White Clover has below ground rhizomes and above ground stolons. It spreads rapidly and outcompetes any existing turf.
White Clover is a good indication of acid soils and suits a wide range of soil types.
After you read this, you will be able to:
- Identify White Clover (Trifolium repens).
- Know the habitat of White Clover.
- Know the best options to control this weed.
How to Identify White Clover.
Category: Broadleaf (Dicot).
Photosynthetic Pathway: White Clover is a C3 weed.
Flower: The flowers of White Clover are white to pink, and resemble a small pea, and usually extend above the height of the leaves. It usually flowers from Spring to Autumn.
Height: White Clover haș a prostrate growth habit.
Leaf length: The leaves have an oval to heart shape, and are 5 to 20 mm long.
Leaf width: The leaves of White Clover are 5 to 14 mm wide.
Reproduction: It reproduces by seeds and creeping stems that root at the nodes.
Comments: The leaf margins are subtly jagged. It has a white crescent that encircles the base of each leafl to form a central white ring. The leaves of White Clover have no hairs. White Clover is a good indicator of low N soils.
Habitat: It is a very common weed of turf in Australia. White Clover is often found in N deficient soils where it out competes the existing turf species. It rapidly grows in a short period of time.
More on lawn and turf grass weeds is in our weed ID chart.
How to Control White Clover.
Cultural control of White Clover:
Chemical Control of White Clover.
Trifolium repens is tolerant of Glyphosate, but there are several herbicides available for control.
Pre-Emergent Control of White Clover.
Post Emergent Control of White Clover.
- 2,4-D. This tends to burn the top of White clover but it then grows back.
- MCPA.
- Warhead Trio. Safe on Buffalo grass.
- Contra M herbicide. Don’t use Contra M on Buffalo grass.
- Weed Blast MA. Safe on Buffalo grass.
- 3-D. Do not use on Buffalo grass.
- Quali-Pro Negate. Do not use on Buffalo grass.
- Casper Turf. Don’t use Casper Turf on Buffalo grass.
- ProForce Recondo. Do not use on Buffalo Grass.
- Quinstar. Safe on cool season turf. Do not use on Buffalo Grass.
- ProForce Duke. Safe on most varieties of Buffalo Grass.
- Dicamba. Don’t use Dicamba on Buffalo grass.
- Pylex Herbicide. Do not use on warm season turf.
- Stature. Stature Turf Herbicide is safe on all established cool and warm season grasses. Not for home garden use. A non-ionic surfactant is recommended.
Non Selective Control of White Clover.
- Glufosinate-ammonium provides control for 4 to 6 weeks, but it regrows and recovers due to the limited movement of glufosinate.
- Glyphosate. You can use Glyphosate but if you use Glyphosate, and water quality is an issue then use ProForce Manta Ray.
The following are non-selective but also have a long term residual and stop re-growth of White Clover.
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- Renegade. Renegade stops germination for up to 12 months, and reduces the need for multiple herbicide applications.
- Numchuk Quad. This gives effective post and pre emergent White Clover control for up to 12 months.
- Cortex Duo. Cortex Duo gives a rapid knockdown of Trifolium repens, and residual control for up to 3 months. It is also safe to use around trees.
