Trifolium suffocatum
Small cluster clover
(c) zebedeugalinha, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Herb
Trifolium suffocatum (Small cluster clover) is a California herb in the Fabaceae family.
Small cluster clover is a naturalized annual found in grasslands and roadsides at elevations below 400 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces small white flowers in compact heads 5 to 8 millimeters long, nestled among distinctive ovate stipules. Growing with prostrate to slightly erect stems, it forms low-spreading plants with delicate branching. Its leaves are composed of small obovate to obcordate leaflets about 3 to 8 millimeters long, with prominent stipules that partially surround the flower clusters. The plant produces two yellow seeds per flower, completing its compact and unassuming life cycle.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated - naturalized species with very small heads and sessile inflorescences
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland, roadsides
Elevation: < 400 m
Outside California: Oregon, native to western Europe
Bloom period
Trifolium suffocatum blooms Mar-Apr.
How to tell it apart
vs Medicago: Trifolium flowers persist around fruits; Medicago flowers fall off leaving exposed coiled fruits.; vs Oxalis: Trifolium has pea-shaped flowers; wood-sorrels (Oxalis) have 5-petaled star-shaped flowers and heart-notched leaflets.; vs Melilotus: Trifolium flowers persist enclosing fruits; Melilotus flowers fall off leaving exposed ridged pods.; vs Castilleja: Trifolium has pea flowers and 3 toothed leaflets; paintbrush (Castilleja) has tubular flowers in colorful bracts.; vs Acmispon: Trifolium leaflets have toothed edges; Acmispon leaflets have smooth untoothed margins.
Frequently asked questions
When does Trifolium suffocatum bloom?
Trifolium suffocatum blooms Mar-Apr.
What plant family does Trifolium suffocatum belong to?
Trifolium suffocatum is in the Fabaceae family, genus Trifolium.
What habitat does Trifolium suffocatum grow in?
Trifolium suffocatum grows in Grassland, roadsides.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.