White clover
Trifolium repens
A creeping perennial in lawns and open grassland with three leaflets, rooting runners and rounded white flower heads. Young leaves and flowers have documented food uses, including cooked greens and dried-flower tea. It also supplies forage for pollinators.
Native range
Europe and adjacent temperate regions of the Old World; introduced widely in North America.
Typical season
Leaf and flower availability follow growth and mowing. Use reviewed food guidance for identified fresh material, and leave flowers for bees. No validated local monthly harvest calendar is assigned.
Identification
Use the three rounded leaflets, often pale chevrons, creeping stems and white flower heads together. Wood sorrels have different flowers and typically heart-shaped leaflets; sweet-clovers are different plants. Some white-clover strains contain cyanogenic compounds. Do not treat it as an unrestricted raw staple; preparation and quantity matter, and mouldy material is unsuitable.