At least in several gardens last week, things with three leaves appeared as several Trefoils began to flower.
In some lawns the yellow flowering Slender hop clover (Trifolium micranthum) has shown itself along with Red clover (Trifolium pratense).
Red clover is also called Bee-bread (along with White clover- Trifolium repens) due to its popularity with bees. It’s nectar is especially loved by Common carder bees (Bombus pascuorum), Honeybees (Apis mellifera) and Red-tailed bumblebees (Bombus lapidarius). Red clover, which is less commonly found in nature than White clover, is used for livestock feed and crop rotation (due to its nitrogen fixation abilities). It is also used in herbal medicine to treat respiratory and skin ailments,along with menopausal and PMS symptoms because the flower contains isoflavones. When taken internally, isoflavones become phytoestrogens which has similar affects in the body as estrogen (see Plantlife)
I will have to wait a little longer to see White clover flowering as it blooms from June. However White clover is commonly found in verges and grassland so I’m sure to see some eventually.
Unfortunately I have never spotted a four leaf clover (or five leaved). I am ever hopeful, just for the challenge because they are so hard to spot in the wild.
Several trees are blooming at the moment. Along with Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna- the May tree flowers referred to in the rhyme ‘Cast ne’er a clout ere May is out’) the Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) is also in flower; they have white flowers with a pink tinge.
I also see the Red horse chestnut tree (Aesculus x carnea Briotii) on my travels, both trees have very showy flowers.
It was great to see lots of bees about last week and various species too.
The first type of bee I saw was a Hairy-footed flower bee (Anthophora plumipes) around some forget me nots (Myosotis).
I also noticed lots of Buff-tailed bumblebees (Bombus terrestris),
Honey bees and Early bumblebees (Bombus pratorum) throughout the week too.
Bee in the Moment 