Lesser Trefoil - Yellow Suckling Clover

Trifolium dubium

General - Lesser Trefoil is an annual weed, and is sometimes known as Yellow Suckling Clover. It is a common weed on garden lawns and will tolerate close mowing.

As with other types of clover it increases nitrogen fixation ( improves soil fertility). If the weed is neglected it will spread rapidly, choking the grass. Lesser Trefoil can be a difficult weed to control.

Leaves - Each leaf has 3 leaflets (trifoliate) bourn on short stalks. The leaves are generally smaller than White and Red Clover.

Flowers - The small yellow flowers which will later turn brown are self pollinating and can be seen between May and October.

Habitat - Lesser Trefoil can adapt to most soil types but prefers light free draining soils.

Cultural Control - If the infestation is not too severe removing clumps of Lesser Trefoil by hand can prove successful taking care to remove the whole plant. Encourage a healthy sward that will suppress weeds with adequate nutrition.

Box of the clipping when mowing the lawn. Avoid letting the lawn dry too much out during periods of drought.

Chemical Control - Selective weed killers can be used to control Lesser Trefoil. For the best results apply when weeds are actively growing usually between April and October.

Choose a product that contains mecoprop-p or fluroxypyr. If the weeds are confined to section of the lawn, spot treatment would suffice.

Chemical weed killers should always be used with care, and as a last resort in the battle against lawn & turf weeds.