Flora of Israel: Trifolium clypeatum

Trifolium clypeatum, Helmet Clover, Shield Clover,
Hebrew: תלתן תריסני, Arabic: النفل المدرع

Scientific name:   Trifolium clypeatum L.
Common name:   Helmet Clover, Shield Clover
Hebrew name:   תלתן תריסני
Arabic name:   النفل المدرع
Plant Family:   Papilionaceae, פרפרניים


Life form:   Therophyte, annual
Leaves:   Alternate, compound, trifoliate
Flowers:   Cream, pink, white
Flowering Period:   January, February, March, April, May
Habitat:   Batha, Phrygana
Distribution:   Mediterranean Woodlands and Shrublands, Semi-steppe shrublands, Montane vegetation of Mt. Hermon
Chorotype:   Mediterranean
Summer shedding:   Ephemeral


Derivation of the botanical name:

Trifolium, Latin tri, tres, three; folium, leaf; three-leaved.

clypeatum, resembling a Roman shield; shield shaped.
The Hebrew name: תלתן, taltan, clover, trefoil, from tlat (Aramaic) three; the clover is recalled in the Mishnah Kilayim 2:5, “[a field} of clover among which grew up…”

  • The standard author abbreviation L. is used to indicate Carl Linnaeus (1707 – 1778), a Swedish botanist, physician, and zoologist, the father of modern taxonomy.