Yellow trefoil, scientifically known as Medicago lupulina, is a flowering annual plant that belongs to the legume family Fabaceae. It is commonly referred to as yellow trefoil due to its three-lobed, yellow-colored petals. This plant typically grows to a height of about 30-60 centimeters and has an erect or ascending stem.
Yellow trefoil is indigenous to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and it has also been introduced to North America and other regions. It is commonly found in open grasslands, pastures, roadsides, and disturbed areas. The plant has a deep, extensive root system that enables it to tolerate various soil types, including sandy, loamy, or clay soils.
The leaves of yellow trefoil are trifoliate, consisting of three hairy, oval-shaped leaflets. It produces pea-like flowers that are bright yellow in color, arranged in clusters at the end of the stems. These flowers eventually develop into small, flattened, spirally twisted seed pods containing multiple seeds.
As a legume, yellow trefoil has the ability to fix nitrogen, enhancing soil fertility. It is often used in crop rotations and as a cover crop to control soil erosion and provide green manure to subsequent crops. Additionally, yellow trefoil is valued as a forage plant for livestock, as it is highly palatable and nutritious. Its seeds are also consumed by birds, making it a valuable food source for wildlife.
In conclusion, yellow trefoil is a flowering plant characterized by its yellow, three-lobed petals. It has a wide range of uses in agriculture, including soil improvement, erosion control, and as a forage crop.
