Large Hop Trefoil

Taxobox
name = Large Hop Trefoil

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image_width = 240px
image_caption = Large Hop Trefoil in southern Quebec
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Fabales
familia = Fabaceae
subfamilia = Faboideae
genus = "Trifolium"
species = "T. aureum"
binomial = "Trifolium aureum"
binomial_authority = Pollich

The Large Hop Trefoil ("Trifolium aureum"), also sometimes known as Golden clover or Hop clover, is a species of clover native to much of central and southern Europe. Synonymous with "Trifolium agrarium".

Large Hop Trefoil is a small erect herbaceous biennial plant growing to 10-30 cm tall. Like all clovers, it has leaves divided into three sessile leaflets, each leaflet 15-25 mm long and 6-9 mm broad. Its yellow flowers are arranged into small, elongated round inflorescences 12-20 mm diameter, located at the end of the stem. Each individual flower is decumbent. As they age, the flowers become brown and paper-like. The fruit is a pod usually containing two seeds.

The closely related Hop Trefoil ("T. campestre") is a similar, but shorter, spreading, species with smaller leaves and flowers. The middle leaflet of its leaves also has a short rachis.

Cultivation and uses

The plant is very common, and grows well on poor, undisturbed grounds. While it probably has good nutritive values, perennial species are favored as forage.

It was introduced to North America (Pennsylvania) in 1800, where it is now found in the eastern and western regions, but not in the middle or southern states. In Canada, it is found in the south of all provinces.

References