In Ky. this commonly sown short-lived perennial ("red clover") has been widely used for forage and hay since early settlement (Gray 1864). It became a favorite of farmers well before 1900 (Gm), and many selections have been made. T. medium L. ("mammoth clover") is a closely related polyploid (2n = mostly 48-80 versus usually 14 in others of section Trifolium). It has been reported from Ky., at least in plantings (Linney 1880; Gm), but it does not appear to have become established.