Clover, belonging to the genus Trifolium, is a common broadleaf weed often seen in lawns and gardens. This member of the legume family is recognizable by its distinct leaf structure, though its appearance varies significantly between species. Accurate identification requires close observation of its leaves, growth pattern, and flower type.
The Defining Features of Clover Leaves and Growth
The most characteristic feature of true clover is its trifoliate leaf structure, meaning each leaf is composed of three individual leaflets. These leaflets are typically oval or egg-shaped with smooth edges. They join directly to the main leaf stalk with very short or non-existent stems, known as being sessile. A distinct visual marker, particularly on the common white variety, is a pale or whitish crescent-shaped band, sometimes called a watermark, across the center of each leaflet.
Many clover species exhibit a low-growing, mat-forming habit, allowing them to spread aggressively across a lawn. This horizontal growth is achieved through structures called stolons, which are creeping stems that run along the soil surface and root at the nodes. The flowers of clover are small, densely packed, and form globe-shaped or cylindrical clusters at the end of a long, leafless stalk.
Common Clover Varieties Found in Lawns
White Clover (Trifolium repens) is the variety most frequently encountered in turfgrass due to its low-growing nature and ability to tolerate close mowing. This perennial species spreads widely via its stolons and produces small, rounded flower heads that are typically white, sometimes tinged with pink as they age. Its leaflets are relatively small and consistently feature the prominent whitish V-shaped watermark.
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) is a larger species that grows more upright than White Clover, reaching heights of up to 20 inches. The leaflets are generally larger and often covered in fine hairs, sometimes displaying a faint, light-colored chevron marking. Its flowers are rose to reddish-purple and form dense, elongated or ovoid heads.
A less common but visually striking variety is Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum), which is typically grown as an annual cover crop. This species is identified by its unique, elongated, and pointed flower heads, which are a vibrant scarlet or deep red color. The overall plant is noticeably hairy and grows in an erect, unbranched manner, lacking the creeping stolons of White Clover.
How to Distinguish Clover from Look-Alike Weeds
Clover is often confused with other trifoliate weeds, such as Oxalis (Wood Sorrel) and Black Medic (Medicago lupulina). The most definitive way to separate clover from Oxalis is by examining the leaflet shape. Oxalis leaflets are distinctly heart-shaped, resembling tiny shamrocks, whereas true clover leaflets are more rounded or oval.
Oxalis also produces small, five-petaled yellow flowers that are solitary or in small clusters, contrasting sharply with clover’s dense, globe-shaped flower heads. To distinguish clover from Black Medic, look closely at the attachment of the central leaflet. Black Medic’s central leaflet is attached by a short stalk (petiolule), while all three of clover’s leaflets connect almost directly to the main petiole at the same point. Black Medic also produces small yellow flowers that form a tight cluster and mature into a black seed pod.