Pacific Grove Clover
Trifolium polyadon
Text by Grey Hayes and Mark Oatney
Photo by Mark Oatney

Status
CNPS list class 1B (qualifies for Endangered Species status) Found in only two locations: Pacific Grove and the meadows of UCSC and Grey Whale Ranch.

Habitat
Grasslands and meadows retaining native species

Threats
• Invasive Plants
These low-statured plants evolved with disturbances that reduced canopy cover for the duration of the growing season and removed smothering dead plant litter. Aggressive species such as Velvet Grass, Tall Fescue, French Broom, and Eucalyptus sp. are also taking over and destroying grasslands.


Conservation
More carefully applied land management techniques, such as controlled burns and grazing, could further help the viability of Pacific Grove Clover populations by controlling invasive species in the coastal terrace meadows.