Definition

Noun: 1. A clover (Trifolium campestre) native to Europe and Western Asia, with small, yellowish flower heads that resemble hops when dried. 2. A low-growing, often prostrate, European herb (Medicago lupulina) with small yellow flowers and curved black seed pods, now widespread in North America; also commonly called "black medic."

Usage Examples

• The field was dotted with hop clover, its yellow flowers bright in the sun.
• As a legume, hop clover helps fix nitrogen in the soil.
• The lawn was invaded by hop clover, which is often mistaken for a true clover.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical contexts, the term hop clover can be ambiguous, as it is a common name applied to two distinct species ( and ) from different genera. Precise identification requires examination of the leaves and seed pods.

Variants and Related Words

• Black Medic: The most common alternative name for .
• Yellow Trefoil: Another common name for .
• Shamrock: In some traditions, particularly Irish, (a similar species) is considered the true shamrock, not hop clover.

Synonyms

• For : Black medic, nonesuch.
• For : Field clover, low hop clover.

Different Meanings

The term hop clover refers specifically to these two plant species. It is not used idiomatically or with other meanings. The name derives from the visual resemblance of its dried flower heads to the hops used in brewing.

Noun

1. clover native to Ireland with yellowish flowers; often considered the true or original shamrock
2. prostrate European herb with small yellow flowers and curved black pods; naturalized in North America