Lesser hop trefoil
ExplorePlants
Lesser hop trefoil
Trifolium dubium
The Lesser hop trefoil is a small, cheerful plant with bright yellow flowers. It grows close to the ground and is often found in grassy areas, making it a lovely sight for little explorers!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Lesser hop trefoil is a small, low-growing plant with trifoliate leaves, often marked with a pale V. It has dense clusters of tiny, bright yellow, pea-like flowers that darken to brown as they mature.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusTrifolium
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its small yellow flowers magically turn brown and papery as they get older!
Many cultures call it a "shamrock", which is a famous lucky symbol!
This tiny plant helps make soil super healthy for other plants to grow.
You can tell it apart because its middle leaf has a little stalk!
Special abilities
Ability
Soil Booster
Lesser hop trefoil can team up with soil bacteria to 'fix' nitrogen, making the soil richer for other plants.
Ability
Seed Bank Hero
Lesser hop trefoil has many tiny seeds that can stay dormant in the soil for years, waiting to sprout.
Ability
Rapid Colonizer
Lesser hop trefoil can quickly establish itself in disturbed areas, covering bare ground with its growth.
Ability
Self-Fertilizer
Lesser hop trefoil can create its own seeds even without insect visitors, ensuring new plants grow.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-30 cm
- Spread
- 10-40 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-0.8 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to early autumn
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
visits flowers for nectar and pollen
pollinates
Buff-tailed bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
important pollinator of its flowers
symbiotic with
Rhizobium bacteria
Rhizobium leguminosarum
helps fix nitrogen in the soil
eaten by
Domestic sheep
Ovis aries
a common forage plant for grazing animals
eaten by
Cattle
Bos taurus
part of the diet for livestock in pastures
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Nitrogen Fixing
Describes organisms capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into compounds usable by plants.
Grass-Like
Grass-like plants are herbaceous plants that visually resemble true grasses, typically having long, narrow leaves.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't pick plants unless an adult says it's okay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Lesser hop trefoil?
10-30 cm
How wide does Lesser hop trefoil spread?
10-40 cm
How big are the flowers on Lesser hop trefoil?
0.5-0.8 cm
When does Lesser hop trefoil bloom?
Late spring to early autumn
Is Lesser hop trefoil edible?
Yes
Is Lesser hop trefoil toxic?
None
What is Lesser hop trefoil's lifecycle?
Annual
How is Lesser hop trefoil pollinated?
Insect
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