Pastures for Florida


fertilizer requirements being similar to those of White clover.
These clovers will thrive under lower fertility and soil moisture
than White Dutch. Hop clovers reseed satisfactorily or produce
seed for harvesting. There is some objection to growing the
Hop clovers because
they are susceptible
to powdery mildew
(Erysiphe polygoni
DC) which gives the
foliage a greyish ap-
pearance. The mil-
dewed clover is not
toxic. These clovers
furnish grazing pri-
marily from March
to June and are rec-
ommended particu-
larly for mixed clover
plantings. One to 3
pounds per acre may
be included in the
mixture.
 Persian Clover
(Trifolium resupina-
tur L.) is a winter
annual which grows
6 to 20 inches tall.
The stems are erect
in dense stands and
decumbent in sparse
stands or under close
 stands or under close FIG. 38.-PERSIAN CLOVER.
grazing. The leaflets, .
 T It is readily identified by the lavender flowers,
1/4 to 3/ i n c h in fibrous seedpods and saw-tooth leaf margins.
length, are free of
pubescence and have saw-tooth margins. The lavender flowers
and inflated fibrous pods (Fig. 38) distinguish this clover from
other species. The seeds are dark greenish-black in color and,
when seeded alone, should be planted during fall at the rate of
4 to 8 pounds per acre.
 Persian clover has soil requirements similar to White clover,
growing best on rich low soils. The peak grazing period is during
March to June. It is recommended in mixed pasture seedings.