What kind of growing environment does four-leaf clover need? Latest analysis
Four-leaf clover is a rare variant of plants in the Trifolium genus. It is rich in protein and minerals, cold-resistant and heat-tolerant, and can adapt to both acidic and alkaline soils. It can be used as green manure, embankment protection grass, lawn decoration, as well as a nectar source and medicinal material, and so on. Below, let us take a look at the growing environment of four-leaf clover!
The growing environment of four-leaf clover
Four-leaf clover is not strict about soil requirements and can adapt to various soil types. It grows well in slightly acidic soil and prefers warm, sunny conditions with good drainage. Under drought conditions, growth is slow, and some plants die back in high-temperature seasons. It is tolerant of pruning and trampling, with strong regeneration ability. Within 10 days after pruning, new small leaves can grow. After high-intensity trampling or rolling, it can recover in 3 to 5 days. It has strong cold resistance. When the temperature drops to 0°C, some old leaves turn yellow and withered, and the small leaves on the main root cling close to the ground and stop growing, but they remain green. Under strong shading, it tends to grow excessively and become leggy, resulting in poor growth. It has strong resistance to harmful gas pollution and strong resistance to pests and diseases.
Geographical distribution of four-leaf clover
1. Global distribution: Four-leaf clover is native to Europe and North Africa and is cultivated throughout the world. The countries that have bred the most forage grass varieties include Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Denmark and the Netherlands. Breeders in other countries such as Sweden, Germany, the United States, France, Italy, Canada and Poland have also bred many famous varieties.
2. Domestic distribution: In China, four-leaf clover is mainly distributed in temperate to tropical regions and appears semi-naturalized in moist grasslands, riverbanks and roadsides. From Mengla County in Yunnan in the south to Shangzhi County in Heilongjiang in the north, both wild and cultivated types are distributed. There are about 10 or more species or varieties of wild and introduced large-scale promoted planting, and more than 200 species or cultivated varieties have been introduced for trial planting. Yunnan Province alone has introduced and cultivated 14 species and 162 varieties.
Planting value of four-leaf clover
1. Economic value: Four-leaf clover is widely distributed and highly adaptable. It is not only excellent feed for livestock, but also a good preceding crop for agricultural crops, as well as an excellent low-growing crop for orchard ground cover. It is also used for soil and water conservation, as a nectar source, for medicinal purposes, as green manure and as lawn ground cover, and is an excellent soil-improving crop. Since it was successfully introduced for trial planting in the Kunming area in the 1970s, it has been promoted and applied over large areas, producing good economic, social and ecological benefits, and it is suitable for large-scale artificial planting.
2. Medicinal value: Four-leaf clover tastes sour and sweet and is cool in nature. It has the effects of clearing heat and draining dampness, and detoxifying and reducing swelling. It is mainly used for symptoms such as cold and fever, enteritis, urinary tract infection, urinary tract stones and neurasthenia. For external use, it treats bruises, venomous snake bites, carbuncles, swellings and boils, athlete's foot, eczema, burns and scalds, and other conditions.