bokhara clover: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low / TechnicalFormal / Agricultural
Quick answer
What does “bokhara clover” mean?
A drought-resistant forage plant, primarily grown for hay or pasture, with distinctive burr-like seed heads.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A drought-resistant forage plant, primarily grown for hay or pasture, with distinctive burr-like seed heads.
A common name for Mellilotus alba or similar species of sweet clover, often used in rotation crops and for soil improvement, known for its sweet smell when dried.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is more likely to be encountered in American agricultural contexts, particularly in the western and plains states. In the UK, 'sweet clover' or 'Mellilot' are more common generic terms.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes a hardy, utilitarian forage crop rather than an ornamental plant.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general language; primarily used in agricultural, botanical, or historical farming texts.
Grammar
How to Use “bokhara clover” in a Sentence
Farmers grow [Bokhara clover] as a cover crop.The [field] was sown with Bokhara clover.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bokhara clover” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Bokhara-clover field was ready for cutting.
- We need a Bokhara-clover seed supplier.
American English
- They planted a Bokhara clover mix for erosion control.
- The Bokhara clover hay had a distinct aroma.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Might appear in agricultural supply catalogs or farm management plans.
Academic
Used in botany, agronomy, and agricultural history papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Precise term in agronomy for a specific forage legume variety.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bokhara clover”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bokhara clover”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bokhara clover”
- Misspelling as 'Bokaro clover' or 'Bukhara clover'.
- Assuming it is a typical lawn clover.
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a Bokhara clover'); it is usually uncountable/mass noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not a true clover (genus Trifolium). It is a species of sweet clover, genus Mellilotus, but is commonly named 'clover' due to its similar appearance and use.
It refers to Bukhara (also spelled Bokhara), a city in Uzbekistan. The plant likely originated or was notably cultivated in that region, leading to the name.
It is possible, but it is primarily an agricultural forage crop that can grow quite tall. It is not typically used in ornamental lawn or garden settings.
Both are forage legumes, but they are different species. Bokhara clover (Mellilotus) is known for its sweet scent when dried and is often more drought-tolerant, while alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is generally higher-yielding and more widely cultivated.
A drought-resistant forage plant, primarily grown for hay or pasture, with distinctive burr-like seed heads.
Bokhara clover is usually formal / agricultural in register.
Bokhara clover: in British English it is pronounced /bəʊˈkɑːrə ˈkləʊvə/, and in American English it is pronounced /boʊˈkɑrə ˈkloʊvɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BOHO (Bo-khara) traveller finding a hardy CLOVER in the dry plains of Central Asia.
Conceptual Metaphor
HARDINESS IS DROUGHT RESISTANCE (The plant embodies the concept of surviving with little water).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary use of Bokhara clover?