Least Hop Clover

(Trifolium dubium)

 

   

 

 

Color Photograph: © by Kenraiz, GNU Free Documentation license

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Least Hop Clover (Trifolium dubium Sibthorp)

Alien: Native of Europe.

Identification: Plant prostrate. Flowers yellow, pealike, arranged in a round cluster. Flower heads very small with only 5 to 15 flowers per head. Stem smooth. Leaf with 3 leaflets, the top leaflet with a small petiole and often notched at the apex.

Distribution: Throughout most of North America.

Habitat: Least Hop Clover is a weedy species found in empty lots, fields, and along roadsides.

Flowering period: April to October.

Similar Species: The flower heads of both Hop Clover and Smaller Hop Clover are much larger than those of Least Hop Clover, with more than 15 flowers per head. Spotted Medick has a dark spot on each leaflet. The stems of Black Medick are hairy and the tip of each leaflet usually has a small spine.

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