| Author | Sibthorp | |
| Distribution | Throughout the state, but less frequent in the Mountains.
Native of Europe; in N.A. essentially throughout the U.S. and southern Canada. | |
| Abundance | Frequent to common, except uncommon in the Mountains; especially common in the Coastal Plain. | |
| Habitat | Dry to mesic soil of roadsides, clearings, pastures, fields, yard weed, cemeteries, vacant lots, disturbed ground. | |
| Phenology | Flowering and fruiting February-October. | |
| Identification | Suckling Hop Clover is a short, sprawling plant with small heads of tiny yellow flowers. The standard has no or indistinct diagonal veins versus 5 distinct ones in Low Hop Clover (T. campestre), and the heads have 10-15 flowers (vs. 20-30 or so flowers in that species). Both species are common in the state, so you have ample opportunity to check out the field marks and learn to distinguish them. | |
| Taxonomic Comments | Trifolium is a large genus of some 240-250 species globally, mostly north-temperate zone. Most are readily recognized as a clover by their 3 broad leaflets and globular to hemispherical head of densely-packed flowers. Flowers vary from white to pink, and red; the hop clovers have tiny yellow flowers. Some species were introduced for their forage value for livestock, others hitched a ride with hay, packing material, etc. Our two native species -- T. carolinianum and T. reflexum -- have suffered great loss of habitat and are now rare. | |
| Other Common Name(s) | Little Hop Clover | |
| State Rank | SE | |
| Global Rank | GNR | |
| State Status | | |
| US Status | | |
| USACE-agcp | FACU link |
| USACE-emp | UPL link |
