Trifolium alpinum, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1981, Flora Europaea. Volume 2. Rosaceae to Umbelliferae, Cambridge University Press : 161

3. T. alpinum L. , Sp. Pl. 767 (1753).

Glabrous, densely caespitose perennial with massive tap-root; stems very short, hidden by dead leaf-bases. Leaves 3-foliolate; leaflets 10-40(-70) mm, lanceolate or linear. Petioles 20-50(-120) mm. Stipules up to 40(-90) mm, concealing the stems, largely adnate to the petioles. Heads 3- to 12-flowered. Peduncles 50-150 mm. Corolla 18-25 mm, pink, purple or rarely cream, strongly scented. Legume 1- to 2-seeded. 2«= 16. Meadows and pastures, mainly between 1700 and 2500 m; calcifuge. • Alps, N. & C. Appennini , mountains of S. France and N. Spain. Au Ga He Hs It. Some plants from west of the Rhone have short, obtuse, elliptical leaflets with strongly curved veins; they need further study.