White Clover
Representative of legumes that cause bloat

Identifying Characteristics:

• Spreads by stolons (runners at ground surface)
• White "V" (called watermarks) often found on leaflets
• Each petiole has three small leaflets (sometimes four if you're lucky!) attached at a common point (palmately compound trifoliolate)
• Produces white to pinkish-white flowers that together forms a head inflorescence
• Can reach 1-2 ft tall
• No pubescence (small hairs)

Plant Longevity:

• Perennial

Where Commonly Found:

• Pastures
• Lawns
• Roadsides
• Waste areas

Time of Most Concern:

• Pre-bud and bloom stages

Compound that Causes Concern:

• Gases of fermentation when grazing lush legumes that do not have tannins

Part of Plant Most Toxic:

• All green parts, especially after a rain and dew on plants

Livestock Species Affected:

• Cattle
• Sheep
• Goats

Pasture, Stored Feed, Both:

• Pasture most common

Clinical Signs:

• Bloat (overdistention of the rumenoreticulum, two compartments of the ruminant's stomach)
• Drooling
• Aggression

Amount Needed to be Consumed for Clinical Signs / Death:

• 1-5% of animal's body weight must be consumed