Ball Clover (T. nigrescens Viv.)

	Very limited acreage in Oklahoma
	Tolerates poorly drained clay or loam soils
	Grows to 3 feet tall
	Good seed producer = dependable
	Good potential for high forage yield.

Ball clover is a cool-season annual that evolved in the Mediterranean region. It is somewhat erect but will fall down when yields are high. Ball clover has small white flowers in small heads. Seed are smaller than white clover and can be established with as little as 2 to 3 lbs./acre. Once established and allowed to produce seed, ball clover volunteers easily because of the high percentage of hard seed.

Ball clover tolerates poorly-drained soils better than most other forage legumes and can grow on soils with high clay content. It's production is related to soil fertility and rainfall, but it can tolerate moderately acid soils.

Ball clover tends to have a short productive season and should be utilized before the middle of June. One of its advantage over many other clovers is its ability to withstand short grazing and still produce adequate amounts of seed for natural reseeding.

Images
Seeds
Seed pods
Flowers  Leaves

John Caddel, Forage Agronomist, 
Professor of Plant & Soil Sciences

john.caddel@okstate.edu