Arrowleaf Clover Trifolium Vesiculosum Savi

Arrowleaf is a drought-hardy clover with very distinct arrowhead-shaped leaves, pronounced veins, and distinguishing white markings.

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Drought hardy.

Arrowleaf is drought hardy! However, arrowleaf does have its limitations. It doesn’t like wet soils, acid soils or shade. The shade factor comes into play if it gets too tall, which causes lower leaves to die and become susceptible to disease. It is best to graze at 6 inches, let it regrow, and either graze again or take for hay.

Great for late spring forage.

Arrowleaf is a favorite among Southerners who want late spring forage. It can be sown in the fall with other legumes, such as crimson, ryegrass, rye and oats. Arrowleaf delivers abundant tonnage late in the spring, filling the last forage gap before the warm season grasses kick in.

Good eating.

With upright growth of up to 48 inches, Arrowleaf can be grazed or cut for hay. It produces 1.5-2 tons DM/A in one growing season. Aside from horses, livestock and wildlife willingly forage on Arrowleaf, without worry of bloat.

Coat for optimal performance.

In order to achieve optimal nitrogen fixation ability, arrowleaf clover needs to be inoculated with Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar trifolii (vesiculosum). This is best achieved with Nitro-Coat®. A detailed brochure on arrowleaf is available from the Oregon Clover Commission at OregonClover.org (source of photo, too.)

As far back as 1972, Auburn University researchers understood that coating arrowleaf clover resulted in higher forage yields. This data was first published in the Agronomy Journal #64. In one treatment the seed received inoculum and a coating to seal in the inoculum. On the second treatment the inoculum was put on the seed, without a coating. The table shows the results of the trial.

Coated vs. Uncoated Arrowleaf (DM/A)

Seed TreatmentTallasseePratville
Coated Seed8701,520
Uncoated Seed290500
Increase due to coating5801,020

Wade, Hoveland and Hiltbold

Auburn University — 1972

Coated arrowleaf clover

Arrowleaf Clover Specifications

Planting
Zones
Zones 7, 8 and upper part of zone 9
Longevity
Annual
Ease of Establishment
Good
Seeds/lb
400,000
Seeding Rate - Straight
5-10 lbs/ac
Seeding Rate - Mix
3-8 lbs/ac
Seeding Time
September - Early November
Seeding Depth
1/4 - 3/8"
Seeding Method
Broadcast or drilled (preferred)
Method of Killing/Suppression
Mowing; grazing; chemical
Optimal Germination Temperature
Night temperatures > 40°F
Seedling Emergence/Vigor
Fair
Reseeding Potential
Excellent
Root Type
Tap
Usage
Grazing Potential
Good
Hay Potential
Good
Use with Wildlife
Good
Use in Orchards
Good
Use with Row Crops
Good
Use with Other Grasses/Legumes
Excellent
Bees/Beneficial Insects
Good
Compaction Control
Fair
Erosion Control
Fair
Weed Suppression Potential
Good
Green Manure/Cover Crop Use
Good
Spreading Capability
Fair
N Contribution Potential
Good
DM Potential
Good
Forage Quality
Good
Harvest Time Frame (late/early/year-round)
Late
Number of Harvest/yr
Up to 3 per growing season
Other Comments
Overseeding bermudagrass sods with arrowleaf clover in mixtures with rye and/or ryegrass can provide excellent winter-spring grazing.
Tolerance
Bloat Risk
Rare
Disease Resistance
Moderate
Insect/Nematode Risk
Moderate
Cold Tolerance
Fair
Traffic Tolerance
Good
Heat Tolerance
Good
Drought Tolerance
Good
Shade Tolerance
Poor
Dry Soil Tolerance
Good
Wet Soil Tolerance
Poor
pH Range
5.8 - 6.5
Required Fertility (P,K, other nutrients)
Not tolerant of acid soils or low fertility; responds to P and K fertilization.