Source: Endangered and Threatened Species of the Southeastern United States (The Red Book) FWS Region 4 -- As of
2/92

                                RUNNING BUFFALO CLOVER

                                     (Trifolium stoloniferum)

FAMILY: Fabaceae

STATUS: Endangered, Federal Register, July 6, 1987

DESCRIPTION: Running buffalo clover is a glabrous perennial that forms long stolons that root at the nodes. The plant's
erect, flowering stems, typically 3 to 6 inches tall, with two leaves near the summit, are topped by a round flower head (Brooks
1983). Flowering occurs from mid-April to June. The plant is easily propagated from cuttings (Campbell et al. 1988).

RANGE AND POPULATION LEVEL: Historically the species occurred in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky,
Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and West Virginia. Until the rediscovery of two small populations of the species in West Virginia in
1985 (Bartgis 1985), running buffalo clover was believed to be extinct. Intensive searches for remnant populations throughout
most of the historic range have revealed several additional sites. The currently known distribution is:

     Arkansas - 0 populations
     Illinois - 0 populations
     Indiana - 2 populations
     Kentucky - 23 populations
     Missouri - 1? population
     Nebraska - 0 populations
     Ohio - 12 populations
     West Virginia - 8 populations

These sites vary in size from a few individuals covering a few square feet to hundreds of individuals over a quarter of an acre.

HABITAT: The original habitat for the species is believed by Campbell (1985) to have been areas of rich soils in the ecotone
between open forest and prairie. These areas are believed to have been maintained by the disturbance caused by the buffalo.
Most of the recently discovered populations are in areas receiving at least some disturbance such as that caused by grazing and
mowing.

REASONS FOR CURRENT STATUS: The causes for the long-term decline of running buffalo clover are not definitely
known. However, they are believed to be directly related to the disappearance of large herbivores from the plant's habitat. This
species appears to have been dependent upon the woodland disturbance created by large animals, especially the buffalo. Many
of the species' old records were in close proximity to buffalo licks and trails. Present threats to the running buffalo clover
include trampling.

MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION: Since the species was listed, intensive searches have been conducted for remnant
populations. The positive results of these efforts are reflected in the increase in the number of known sites from two in 1985 to
46 in 1991. Additional searches are needed, especially in Indiana, Missouri, Arkansas and Nebraska. Material from wild
populations has been placed into cultivation to ensure that the genetic material represented by the species is not lost. The
potential economic value of running buffalo clover has lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct horticultural studies.
The recovery plan's criteria for downlisting the plant to threatened status includes the discovery or establishment of 30 secure,
self-sustaining populations. Although more than 30 populations are now known, few can be considered secure and self
sustaining.

REFERENCES:

Bartgis, R. L. 1985. Rediscovery of Trifolium stoloniferum Muhl. ex A. Eaton. Rhodora 87:425-429.

Brooks, R. E. 1983. Trifolium stoloniferum, Running buffalo clover: Description, distribution and current status. Rhodora
85:343-354.

Campbell, J. J. N. 1985. The land of Cane and Clover: Pre-settlement vegetation in the so-called Blue Grass Region of
Kentucky. Unpublished manuscript, Herbarium, University of Kentucky, Lexington.

Campbell, J. J. N., M. Evans, M. Medley, and N. L. Taylor. 1988. Buffalo clovers in Kentucky (Trifolium stoloniferum and
T. reflexus): Historical Records, Pre-settlement, Environment, Rediscovery, Endangered Status, Cultivation and Chromosome
Number. Rhodora 90: 399-418.

For more information please contact:

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1825-B Virginia St.
Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Telephone 410/269-6324

US Fish and Wildlife Service
330 Ridgefield Court
Asheville, North Carolina 28806

Telephone 704/665-1195, ext. 224