Yellow suckling clover Trifolium dubium
Table of Contents
Yellow suckling clover is a sprawling plant with a low-growth habit that thrives in sunny places. It produces small yellow flowers and is very common in grassy places, especially garden lawns.
Plant family: Fabaceae
Aliases: Lesser trefoil, little hop clover, lesser hop trefoil, shamrock
Flowering period: June – October
Flower colour: Yellow
Preferred soil type: Most types, non-acidic, nutrient deficient
Habitat: Grassland, lawns, waste areas
Status: Common
General information
A low-growing, annual plant, that’s a member of the pea family. It’s sometimes referred to as lesser trefoil and is considered a troublesome weed in garden lawns and managed turf, as it can be somewhat resistant to modern herbicides. It is particularly troublesome on nutrient deficient soils, typical of dry sites, so the answer is to ensure the turf receives adequate nutrition
Yellow suckling clover is similar in appearance to hop trefoil and black medic and is often mistaken for them, especially the latter. As with all clovers, its a member of the legume family (Fabaceae) and has the ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere.
Identification
Flowers: Yellow suckling clover produces tiny pea-like yellow flowers, often globular shaped, measuring up to 5mm in diameter and are very similar to those of black medic.
Leaves: The alternate, trifoliate leaves are typical of clovers, with three rounded leaflets, with the terminal leaflet having a short stalk. The tips of the leaves are slightly notched.
Value for wildlife
Yellow suckling clover is a self pollinating plant (hermaphrodite), but are also pollinated by bees.
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