Red clover is an old plant, celebrated historically for its magical powers. At one time it was credited with the ability to protect against evil and witchcraft. The four leaf clover, an occasional variety resulting from mutation, was and still is considered a sign of luck.

Medicinally it was used to ease coughing, colds, sore throats and skin irritations. Native Americans made a salve of it to help cure burns. In spring they also ate the leaves of the plant (a relative of the pea) as a vegetable. Red clover tea is still used by some herbalists as a remedy for sore throats.

In agriculture it is used as a soil improving cover crop, as fodder for cattle and it is a good source of nectar for honeybees.

Its name comes from the color of its blooms.

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Red Clover is a common clover growing in meadows, along roadsides, or in ditches. It seems to like growing just about anywhere. The blooms are attractive to bees.

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Range: throughout. Additional info: like many Clovers, this does not make good hay. If cut late in the season and fed in quantity to livestock it is debilitating, for reasons not entirely known.

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Vermont's state flower.

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