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Low hop-clover

Also known as: plains clover

Trifolium campestre Schreb.

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Low hop-clover leaves
Low hop-clover
Low hop-clover
Low hop-clover
Low hop-clover
Low hop-clover
Low hop-clover
Low hop-clover inflorescence
Low hop-clover

Morphology

Stem
Erect, ascending or decumbent, usually much branched, 4 to 16 inches long, finely pubescent to nearly glabrous.
Leaves
Alternate, stalked, pinnately 3-foliolate; leaflets egg-shaped to oblong or oblanceolate, 1/4 to 3/5 inch long, glabrous to sparsely soft-hairy; margin usually minutely toothed above middle; tip rounded or notched; stalk of middle leaflet longer than stalks of lateral leaflets.
Inflorescence
Head, spherical to short-cylindric, 1/3 to 2/5 inch in diameter; flowers 20-40.
Flower
Papilionaceous, 1/8 to 1/5 inch long; calyx strongly 2-lipped, glabrous; petals yellow, becoming brown; banner conspicuously lined, much exceeding wings; stamens 10.
Fruit
Pod, 1-seeded; seed 1/20 inch long, yellowish, smooth, shiny.

Ecology

Habitat
Open pastures, waste areas, open woods, fallow fields, lawns, roadsides; rocky or sandy soils.
Distribution
East 2/5 of Kansas.

Practical Information

Forage Value
Can provide late winter and early spring forage.

Additional Notes

Comments

Low hop clover is sometimes sown for forage and soil improvement.

Quick Facts
Plant Type
Wildflower
Family
Fabaceae - Bean Family
Life Span
Annual
Height
4-16 inches
Origin
Native
Last Updated
2008-03-26
Color Groups
Yellow Wildflowers
Flowering Period
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Blooms: May, June, July, August, September