Several plants of the genus Trifolium, family
Leguminosae, the leaves of which appear to be
divided into three lobes. Birdsfoot trefoil
Lotus corniculatus is a low-growing perennial
found in grassy places through Europe, N
Asia, and parts of Africa. Its has five
leaflets to each leaf, but the first two are
bent back so it appears to have only three.
The yellow flowers, often tinged orange or
red, are borne in heads with only a few
blooms. Hop trefoil Trifolium campestre has
leaves with only three leaflets and
tight-packed round heads of yellow flowers
about 1.5 cm/0.6 in across. It also grows in
grassy places through Europe, W Asia, N
Africa, and North America.