Lesser Trefoil

Common name: Lesser Trefoil or Yellow Suckling Clover

Botanical name: Trifolium dubium

Family: Fabaceae

Life cycle: Perennial

Habitat: Lesser trefoil also called yellow suckling clover can be a troublesome weed in all types of turf, as it adapts to the mowing height and will grow quite happily on closely mown turf. This weed is particularly troublesome on poor soils that are low in nutrients.

Leaf: The leaves are typical of all clover type weeds, with each leaf having three leaflets. However the leaves on lesser trefoil are somewhat smaller than those of white clover. Lesser trefoil leaves are very similar to those of black medic and the two weeds are often confused with each other.

Flowers: The flowers are usually seen from May to October. They are initially yellow in colour but they turn brown later in the year.

Removal & Control: The best way to prevent this weed from invading is to be vigilant and hand weed as it appears. Raking the weed into an upright position prior to mowing can also help the weaken the weed and thin it out somewhat. As lesser trefoil or yellow suckling clover thrives on poor soils, it is important to to keep the soil in good health with a balanced feed program to help discourage the weed.

A selective herbicide can be used to treat this weed. Choose a product that contains mecoprop-p for the best results. However lesser trefoil may prove quite stubborn and a further application may be needed for complete control.