It iso ne of the most important leguminous forage plant widespread all over the world. It has a highly developed rooting system, upright stems up to 80 cm tall, short oval-shaped leaves, smooth or finely dentate, green with variably stains and pink flowers. It is a highly appreciated forage plant thanks to its great adaptability to thrive in very different climatic conditions in flat as well as mountain areas, in clay as well as slightly acid soils. However, it prefers cool and slightly humid soils. It generally lasts no longer than two years except for some varieties which can last up to three or four years. Differences among varieties can be found concerning class, flowering, growing habitus and hairy or hairless appearance of the plant.