11-03-2021, 11:06 AM
(This post was last modified: 11-03-2021, 11:57 AM by -JKP-.
Edit Reason: added pics
)
Clover doesn't characteristically split into three flowerheads, it doesn't have the nubs at the base of the petals. The leaves are usually trifoliate, but it never has odd-pinnate leaves (in the sense of rows of leaves on one stalk) as in the VMS drawing.
Purple prairie clover sometimes has 5 leaves (technically odd pinnate), but they are not on long stalks with many leaves on each branch (usually not more than 5) and it is a North American plant. Also, the flowerhead is like plantain. It is not like the other clovers.
Sulla clover has odd-pinnate leaves, it's also in the bean family, but it has flowers like pea plants.
Here is how they drew clover in the Middle Ages and early Renaissance (the emphasis was always on the trifoliate leaves):
Bodley 130, which is a very old herbal, has a naturalistic and quite recognizable drawing of pink clover.
Purple prairie clover sometimes has 5 leaves (technically odd pinnate), but they are not on long stalks with many leaves on each branch (usually not more than 5) and it is a North American plant. Also, the flowerhead is like plantain. It is not like the other clovers.
Sulla clover has odd-pinnate leaves, it's also in the bean family, but it has flowers like pea plants.
Here is how they drew clover in the Middle Ages and early Renaissance (the emphasis was always on the trifoliate leaves):
Bodley 130, which is a very old herbal, has a naturalistic and quite recognizable drawing of pink clover.