identifying clover before it blooms?

[John Adams]

Here's another clover question for the experts. On the airport, where i have one of my apiaries, I am seeing tons of wild clover coming up that is about an inch or so tall. Is there a way to tell what it is ie: white, red etc by looking at the leaves. If my memory from last year serves me correct, it is a mix of white and red. I was just out walking around looking at stuff as the weather is pretty nice today, and this question hit me.

[D Coates]

Not a botanist here but I'd bet there's a way.  Give it a couple months and it'll become quite obvious.  ;)

[John Adams]

yea i figured that someone would say that. You know how boredom at work can lead to strange ideas though! I figured that there was an "ole grey beard" way of telling.....

[greenbtree]

As Timmy says "Internet!"  Google both white and red clover identification and you will get what you need.   White clover is shorter, has smaller overall growth (both stems and leaves) and is less fuzzy than red.  White clover flower stems are generally single and more distinct from the whole plant, while red clover sends up flower stems with leaves along it.  Bees are "mad" (as Finski would say :-D) for white clover but most cannot reach the nectar in red clover (which is different than crimson clover).

JC

[Acebird]

Who give a crap what it is if you got clover at this time of the year.  I think I would eat it myself if I could find it.

[John Adams]

Acebird I take it you are still in a deep freeze!!! The weather is trying to turn around down here, highs in the 50's this week. I sure need it to because i have one hive that might not make it through another month of freezing conditions... they were my weakest colony back in the fall.

[Acebird]

It's normal, I just don't like it anymore.

[bailey]

white clover in my area has a distinct white tinted ring inside the 3 leaf petals the other clovers do not.
hope this helps some.
bailey

[Brian D. Bray]

The Large Red clover will have the groups of 3 leaves less tightly packed than the other types of clover.  Also the leaves are about twice as large.