Photographs: Co. Cork

Lesser Trefoil Trifolium dubium Seamróg Family: Fabaceae Flowering time: May-August. Annual. Native. Globular heads of small, pale yellow flowers, 10-15 in each head and brown when fruiting. Leaves have three triangular-oval leaflets with very small teeth and a stalked central leaflet. Stem and leaves purple-tinged as plant ages. A nearly hairless plant, semi-erect or prostrate, to 40cm. Worn as Shamrock on St Patrick's Day. Abundant throughout on dry roadsides, fields, waste ground and dunes. Similar: Slender Trefoil, Trifolium micranthum

Lesser Trefoil, Trifolium dubium, Seamróg