Bur Clover (Medicago polymorpha) is in the Legumes family (Fabaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 956 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in March.
Nationally it blooms mainly from March to April, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Bur Clover: observations by month (U.S.)
About Bur Clover
Medicago polymorpha is a plant species of the genus Medicago. It is native to the Mediterranean basin but is found throughout the world. It forms a symbiotic relationship with the bacterium Sinorhizobium medicae, which is capable of nitrogen fixation. Common names include California burclover, toothed bur clover, toothed medick and burr medic.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Bur Clover by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 795 | March | Mar–May |
| Texas | 90 | March | Feb–Mar |
| Mississippi | 29 | March | Feb–Apr |
| Louisiana | 16 | March | Feb–Mar |
| Oregon | 9 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Florida | 6 | February | Feb–Feb |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Legumes)
White Clover
Red Clover
Texas bluebonnet
Bird's-Foot Trefoil
Rose Clover
Tomcat Clover
American hog-peanut
Purple Crownvetch
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Bur Clover?
Nationally, March has the most observations, with the main season from March to April.
Where is Bur Clover most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Texas, Mississippi.