Lesser yellow trefoil, scientifically known as Trifolium dubium, is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the legume family (Fabaceae). It is native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. The term "lesser" in its common name is used to distinguish it from the greater yellow trefoil (Trifolium aureum), which has similar characteristics but is larger in size.
The lesser yellow trefoil typically grows in dry, open habitats such as meadows, grasslands, and rocky slopes. It has a slender stem that can reach up to 30 centimeters in height, with leaves that consist of three leaflets and lack a terminal stipule. The oval-shaped leaflets have a smooth texture and are pale green in color.
The plant bears small, bright yellow flowers in dense clusters at the end of the stems. Lesser yellow trefoil blooms from late spring to autumn, attracting various pollinators such as bees and butterflies. It also produces small, cylindrical seed pods containing several small seeds.
Due to its ability to fix nitrogen, lesser yellow trefoil is often used in agriculture as a forage plant to improve soil quality and as a fodder crop for livestock. It provides a valuable source of nutrition for grazing animals and helps to suppress weeds, making it beneficial in grass mixtures for pastures and hayfields.
In addition, lesser yellow trefoil has also been utilized in traditional medicine for its potential medicinal properties, including treating gastrointestinal disorders and skin conditions. However, more scientific research is needed to fully uncover and understand its therapeutic potential.
