RUNNING BUFFALO CLOVER - Trifolium stoloniferum

[photo of running buffalo clover]Running buffalo clover is a native clover of Missouri. It once flourished throughout the grasslands of the eastern and central United States along streams and buffalo trails. During the last century its numbers declined drastically. It is threatened by habitat loss and competition with introduced clover species. Running buffalo clover is listed ENDANGERED by the Missouri Department of Conservation and ENDANGERED by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Identification

[line drawing of running buffalo clover]Running buffalo clover is a perennial that grows from 4 to 20 inches tall. Like other clovers, running buffalo clover has leaves divided into 3 leaflets. It sends out long creeping runners called stolons from its base, which grow along the ground and take root. The stems and leaves are hairless.

The flower heads are about 1 inch wide, white (sometimes tinged with purple), and grow on stems that are 2 to 8 inches long. Each flower head has 2 large opposite leaves below it on the flowering stem. These leaves are typically larger than those found on stems without flowers. Running buffalo clover flowers from mid-May to June and fruits in July. Running buffalo clover is very similar to other clovers found in Missouri. White clover is a non-native clover that blooms throughout the summer and into the fall. It lacks the pair of leaves on the flower stem and often has a pale "V"-shaped mark on the leaflets. Alsike clover is another non-native clover that grows throughout the summer and into the fall. It has one leaf beneath the flower head, which is opposed by a branch and not another leaf. It does not produce rooted runners. Red clover is a third non-native clover that produces white or reddish flowers. It often has a pale "V"-shaped mark on the leaflets and lacks rooted runners. It blooms throughout the summer and into the fall. Buffalo clover is an uncommon native clover of Missouri. It grows erect without rooted runners and has large pink to white flower heads and hairy leaf stalks. It blooms throughout the summer.

For a technical description of this plant, refer to:

Steyermark, J.A. 1963. Flora of Missouri. Iowa State Press. Ames, Iowa. 1728 pp.

Habitat and Distribution

[missouri map of running buffalo clover distribution]Running buffalo clover is found in open woodlands, savannas, grasslands, stream-banks, floodplains, and shoals. Remnant populations outside Missouri persist in developed areas such as orchards, cemeteries, pastures, woodlots, lawns, and along old roads and trails. It grows in rich moist soils on areas that have a pattern of periodic disturbance such as mowing, trampling, or grazing. It is believed that at one time the seeds were dispersed by buffalo and other herbivores.

Running buffalo clover was historically widespread and ranged from Nebraska to West Virginia. It has disappeared from all known historic sites in Missouri. It formerly occurred in the southern two-thirds of the state. There are historical records from Jasper, Wayne, Cooper, and St. Louis counties. 1907. It was considered extirpated from Missouri until as recently as 1989, when some plants were reported growing in an unattended pile of topsoil in St. Louis. One natural site for running buffalo clover was discovered in Madison county in 1994 and another was discovered in Maries county in 1998.

Cause of Historic Decline

Reasons for the historic decline in running buffalo clover populations are unclear. Running buffalo clover favors disturbed areas in woodlands. It may have depended on large herbivores (i.e., bison) to periodically disturb areas and create habitat, as well as to disperse its seeds. As bison were eliminated, vital habitat and a means of seed dispersal was lost. Currently, running buffalo clover is restricted to managed sites where it was reintroduced and the two natural populations. However, other natural sites may exist, and landowners can play an active role in identifying and protecting new populations.

Current Threats To Running Buffalo Clover

Protection and Management: Steps Toward Recovery

Running buffalo clover exists naturally on two sites in Missouri. As a result, private landowners can do little to manage lands in ways beneficial to running buffalo clover. However, landowners can be aware of the clover and how to identify it. If additional populations of running buffalo clover are located in Missouri, they should be protected and managed. The proper management of naturally occurring populations of running buffalo clover will aid recovery efforts of the plant in the state.

Reintroduction of running buffalo clover may aid the recovery of this species in Missouri. Experimental plantings in Missouri began in 1990. Since 1990, 23 plantings have been established on Missouri Department of Conservation lands and nine on U.S. Forest Service lands. The restoration plan specifically calls for increasing the number of experimental plantings through 1996, monitoring all plantings annually, and conducting experimental management from 1995 through 1999. An assessment of the program's progress will be made during 2000.

Recovery and federal delisting of running buffalo clover are expected to be considered by the year 2000. By 2000, some of the experimental plantings in Missouri may be self-sustaining. Running buffalo clover will be considered reestablished in Missouri when there are 10 secure, self-sustaining populations on public land.

Missouri and federal law prohibits the exportation, transportation, or sale of plants on the State or Federal lists.

For more information on running buffalo clover, or to report sightings of this species, contact:

Endangered Species Coordinator or Natural History Division Botanist Missouri Department of Conservation Natural History Division P.O. Box 180 Jefferson City, MISSOURI 65102 573/751-4115

For more information on pasture improvement programs or additional information about running buffalo clover management, contact:

Your local Natural Resources Conservation Service Office.

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