OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
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Rose clover is a herbaceous, self-regenerating winter annual legume that originated in the Mediterranean region. It has a semi-erect growth habit similar to crimson clover, with somewhat later growth period in mid-spring. It has two main uses, as a pasture species often combined with sub clover, medics and serradella, and for stabilizing degraded areas associated with mining or road building. Also used as a vineyard cover crop.
Inflorescence is a globular terminal head with 20-40 lavender-colored flowers in each head.
Leaves are pubescent, with obovate, pale green leaflets. Even though cultivars can have different leaf markings, they usually have pale crescents bordered by brownish-red lines.
Stems are 3-24 inches (8-60 cm) tall and densely pubescent. Stipules have green veination and are rounded, coming to a point.
Rose clover is deeper rooted than most annual clovers, with roots to more than 6 feet (2 m) in deep soils.
Seeds are smooth, slightly compressed, cream colored, approximately 2 mm long and weigh 3-4 mg, with about 250,000 seeds/kg (114,000/lb).
Semi-erect growth habit. Winter annual.
Rose clover is grown widely in California (except for the coastal fog belt), central Oklahoma, and north-central Texas. It will grow in areas too dry for sub clover and too acid for medics.
Native to the Mediterranean region and thus suitable for regions which have 16 to 30 inches (400 to 750 mm) of annual rainfall and summer-dry conditions. Although it tolerates frosts, it is not tolerant of cold winters; suitable in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 6b-10b [Average Annual Extreme Minimum Temperature of -5 to 0 °F (-21 to -18 °C)] and July mean maximum temperature of 80-90 °F (27-32 °C).
Suited well-drained, sandy loams through clay loam moderately-drained soils. pH suitability is strongly-acid to moderately-alkaline soils (pH = 5.0-8.3). Tolerates neutral sodic soils (3-5 dS/m) and short periods (3 days) of waterlogging.
Rose Clover Suitability Tolerance Values
|
Suitability Class |
Jan Min (°C)* |
July Max (°C) |
Annual Precip (mm)** |
Soil pH*** |
Soil Drainage† |
Soil Salinity (dS/m)# |
|
Well-suited |
-17 |
27 |
750 |
5.8-7.3 |
MWD-WD |
1-2 |
|
Moderately suited |
-19 |
29 |
600 |
5.5-7.5 |
SPD-SED |
2-3 |
|
Marginally suited |
-21 |
32 |
400 |
5.0-8.0 |
PD-SED |
3-4 |
*Low temperature: USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6b-10b
Rooting: Roots to 6 feet (2 m).
*** Soil pH: Strongly Acid to Moderately Alkaline: 5.0-8.3.
† Soil drainage: Tolerates water-logged soils. Soil drainage class abbreviations: 1=VPD, very poorly drained; 2=PD, poorly drained; 3=SPD, somewhat poorly drained; 4=MWD, moderately well drained, 5=WD, well drained; 6=SED, somewhat excessively drained; 7=ED, excessively drained. Percent relative yield for rose clover for the classes 1-7: 15, 40, 75, 100, 100, 55, 20, respectively.
# Soil salinity: Mildly saline soils (3-5 dS/m)
The following collection of maps were developed by a group of Oregon State University scientists, using the PRISM-generated collection of climate factor grids and the NRCS soil characteristics database. The procedure used to produce these suitability maps is described below.
Suitability curves were developed for each clover species for three climate variables (average annual precipitation, average July maximum temperature, and average annual extreme low temperature) and three soil variables (drainage class, pH, and salinity). For each variable and each species, the curves were fit using estimated yield data across the full range of values for the given variable.
The coefficients for the model equations were applied to spatial data layers representing each climate and soil variable, resulting in spatial outputs of percent yield for each of the clover species and each climate and soil variable. The percent yield layers were then classified into four suitability classes, as follows:
100%-75% - Suitable
75%-50% - Moderately suitable
50%-25% - Marginally suitable
25-0% - Not suitable
Finally, three "hybrid" suitability layers were produced for each clover species based on combinations of 1) the three climate variables, 2) the three soil variables, and 3) all six climate and soil variables together. These combined suitability layers were created by selecting for each location the lowest suitability value of the included variables, with the idea that the overall suitability for a species will be limited by the most restrictive factor.
|
Climate Factors |
Soil Factors |
Combined Factors |
|
Minimum Temperature
|
pH
|
All climate and soil factors (most limiting)
|
|
Maximum Temperature
|
Drainage
|
All soil factors (most limiting)
|
|
Precipitation
|
Salinity
|
All climate factors (Most limiting) |
Establishment: Seeds are drilled 0.2-0.4 inches (0.5-1.0 cm) deep in autumn, using 2.7-6.3 lb/a (3-7 kg/ha) in a mix with sub clover, barrel medic, alfalfa, serradella, and/or perennial grasses. Use group C inoculant and lime pellet if sown into acid soil or mixed with fertilizer. Ensure adequate amounts are P, S, and Mo are present by fertilizing to soil test recommendations [typically 90-134 lb/ac (100-150 kg/ha) superphosphate].
Management: Even though it is suited to grazing and tolerates close grazing, rose clover needs careful spring management to prevent overgrazing which will reduce seed production. Seed yield is approximately 225-625 lb/a (250-700 kg/ha), similar to subterranean clover. Stands should be grazed before fall rains to allow hooves to press seeds into the soil. Superphosphate and sulfur fertilizers should be applied every two to three years. For vineyards, occasional mowing in spring and early summer and fertilizer applications of 1-2 tons/acre (2.24-4.5 MT/ha) of compost annually are recommended.
There are several cultivars varying in their maturity, rainfall required, cold tolerance, and optimal soil conditions:
High quality forage suitable for grazing, hay, or silage. High seed coat impermeability. Protein above 20% if harvested before bloom stage. Beef cattle liveweight gain from grazing rose clover pastures is slightly higher than for crimson or arrowleaf clovers (3.5, 3.2 and 3.3 lb/day, respectively). Nitrogen fixation of rose clover provides 90 lb N/ac/year (~100 kg/ha/year). Few disease or insect pests.
Can cause bloat in cattle on pure legume stands. Negligible amounts of estrogen (no infertility issues detected in sheep). Ingestion of old flower heads may cause development of an indigestible mass in the abomasum of cattle and wool contamination in late-dropped lambs. No major insect pests or diseases.
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Bailey, E.T. 1967. The history, characteristics, and potential of Kondinin rose clover. J. Agric. Western Australia 9:372-373.
Dear, B.S. 2002. Rose clover. AgFacts P2.5.38. NSW Agric. https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/165300/p2538.pdf Retrieved April 15, 2018.
Dyer, Dave. 2005. Rose Clover Plant Guide. USDA NRCS. https://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_trhi4.pdf Retrieved April 15, 2018.
Loi, Angelo. 2009. Rose clover. Fact Sheet, Pastures Australia. https://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/pastures/Html/Rose_clover.htm Retrieved April 15, 2018.
Love, R. M. 1985. Rose Clover. Agron. Monogr. 25 chpt. 24, pp. 535-546. ASA, CSSA, SSSA, Madison, WI.
Pasture Genetics. Sardi Rose Clover. http://pasturegenetics.com/seed/sardi-rose-clover/?pdf=2159 Retrieved April 15, 2018.
Swearingen, J., C. Bargeron. 2016. Rose clover. Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States. University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. https://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=18778 Retrieved April 15, 2018.
Witham, Carol W. 20014. Rose clover photos. CalPhotos 0563 and 0564. https://calphotos.berkeley.edu Retrieved April 15, 2018.
Volesky, J. D., D. P. Mowrey, and Smith, G. 1996. Performance of Rose Clover and Hairy Vetch Interseeded into Old World Bluestem. J. Range Mgmt. 49(5):448-451. doi:10.2307/4002928
