Summary
Populations of 59 Trifolium taxa were screened for condensed tannin content using the vanillin-HC1 test. Eight species (T. arvense, T. aureum, T. badium, T. campestre, T. dubium, T. micranthum, T. patens and T. spadiceum) were shown to contain tannins. These species are all found in Section Chronosemium or Section Trifolium Subsection Arvensia of the genus, and thus presence of tannins appears to have a taxonomic significance. Screening populations within species showed differences in tannin content, but no plants in these species were free of tannins.
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Fay, M.F., Dale, P.J. Condensed tannins in Trifolium species and their significance for taxonomy and plant breeding. Genet Resour Crop Evol 40, 7–13 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00053459
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00053459