White Prairie Clover

Ethnobotany

This low growing, often prostrate, plant has narrow leaves, and dense, cylindrical flower spikes at the end of the flowering stalks.

Wilkinson reports that prairie-clover was used by the Blackfoot. The leaves were bruised, steeped in water and applied to wounds, and were made into tea and potions to prevent disease. (121)

Botany

Growth habit and range: This herbaceous perennial plant shows an erect growth habit, and is common on dry sites in the southern half of the province. This plant grows to a height of 25–50 cm and it is multi-stemmed.

Description: The smooth leaves are grey-green in colour, pinnately compound and comprised of 5–9 linear to oblong, blunt leaflets, each measuring 5–15 mm in length. The flowers appear from June to August, and occur on the stem tips. The blossoms are clustered on a thick, cylindrical head measuring up to 5 cm in length. Flowering proceeds from the bottom of the head upward. Each white flower measures just 4–6 mm in length, and the protruding stamens are yellow. The fruit is a 3–4 mm long pod which contains one or two brown seeds.

References

• Wilkinson, Kathleen. 1999. Wildflowers of Alberta: A Guide to Common Wildflowers and Other Herbaceous Plants. University of Alberta Press and Lone Pine Publishing, AB.