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White Clover - Trifolium repens

By Kelly Burke, About.com

White Clover

photo © Kelly Burke
Appearance:
Characterized by its 3-part leaves and white, pink tinged flowers. It is a low growing weed with the flowers usually rising above the leaves. See botanical illustration.
Growth:
Perennial weed that can thrive in a variety of conditions with low nitrogen levels. Especially aggressive in high phosphorus soils.
Physical Control:
Not feasible to remove by hand. Best chance of physically reducing clover populations is to encourage turf growth and maintain adequate nutrient levels.
Chemical Control:
Spot treat with post-emergent hebicide containing either triclopyr or MCPP, 2,4-D and dicamba.
Organic Alternative:
Rather than fight clover, accept it. Prior to WWII clover used to be a part of the American lawn, even sold in seed mixes with lawn grass. It is a legume, fixing it's own nitrogen and enriching the soil.
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