Clover is a familiar plant with its iconic triple leaflets, But there are also many weeds that closely resemble clover in shape and growing habit Identifying lookalike weeds properly allows you to control them and prevent overgrowth,
Here are 10 of the most common weeds that can be mistaken for clover:
1. Oxalis
Oxalis, also known as wood sorrel, is likely the weed most often confused with clover It has 3 heart-shaped leaflets on the end of each long stalk and small, 5-petaled yellow flowers that bloom spring through summer. Oxalis prefers moist, shady spots Hand pulling oxalis before it sets seed helps control it.
2. White Clover
While many consider white clover to be a weed, it is actually in the same plant family as red and crimson clovers. White clover has 3 oval leaflets and white flowers. It spreads aggressively through lawns. Apply an iron-based herbicide to selectively kill white clover mixed among desirable grass.
3. Creeping Charlie
Creeping Charlie has round, scalloped leaves along creeping stems. Small, funnel-shaped, bluish-purple flowers appear in spring. Creeping Charlie thrives in moist, shaded sites. Maintain healthy turfgrass and avoid overwatering to help keep it in check.
4. Common Chickweed
Common chickweed displays paired, oval-shaped leaves alongprocumbent stems. Tiny white star-shaped flowers bloom in cooler months. Hand pull small infestations of chickweed. Preemergent herbicides applied in fall help prevent recurrence.
5. Henbit
A winter annual weed, henbit has round, scalloped leaves and pink-purple flowers on square stems. It tends to peek through in early spring. Apply preemergent herbicide in fall to prevent henbit growth. Pull stray plants as they appear.
6. Persian Speedwell
Persian speedwell is a low-growing weed with small, oval leaves edged in teeth Tiny blue flowers with white centers dot the plant from spring through fall. Speedwell prefers moist, compacted soils Improve drainage and aerate turf to make the environment less hospitable.
7. Hop Clover
Usually a summer annual, hop clover has clusters of yellow flowers and three leaflets per leaf. The rounded terminal leaflet looks larger than the two side leaflets. Hand pull young hop clover plants. Mature plants may need selective herbicide.
8. Black Medic
Black medic shows up as a summer annual weed in lawns and gardens. Each leaf contains three tiny rounded leaflets with a few teeth along the edges. Tiny yellow flowers form on short upright stems. Apply preemergent herbicide in spring to prevent black medic.
9. Wild Violet
Wild violet has oval, heart-shaped leaves with rounded tips that form a low mat. The five-petaled flowers come in blue, purple or white shades. Wild violet spreads aggressively through lawns via rhizomes. Spot treat using a selective herbicide containing triclopyr.
10. Cudweeds
A number of annuals in the cudweed family produce clusters of tiny leaves that hug the ground and resemble clover. Look for cudweed’s cottony-white stems and flowers to distinguish it. Cudweeds thrive in poor, dry soils. Improve soil quality and irrigation to deter growth.
With close inspection, most clover lookalikes can be correctly identified by subtle differences in leaf shape, flowers, growth habit, or other characteristics. Proper identification allows you to take appropriate steps to remove weeds and prevent their return. Keeping turfgrass thick and healthy also helps reduce weed invasions. Reach out to a lawn care professional for help managing difficult weeds.
Identifying and foraging common wood sorrel. A common edible weed, often mistaken for clover or shamrock. Perfect for beginners.
- It has a leaf shape as described above
- It has very thin stems and leaves that aren’t more than an inch across.
- It has yellow flowers, with 5 petals. (But you can ID and eat before it flowers).
- It makes long, narrow seed pods that are tapered at both ends and cut in half to make a square. (Again, you can identify and eat before seeds form).
- It usually grows about 6″ tall, but in the best conditions it can reach 12–14″
Yellow wood sorrel is found throughout the US and Canada, though it may be absent from more mountainous areas.
Common yellow wood sorrel is nearly identical to Oxalis corniculata, the creeping yellow wood sorrel, except creeping sorrel doesnt grow as high, it spreads by “creeping” accorss the ground. Creeping yellow wood sorrel is found in every state. Its also edible. Wood sorrel is available through nearly the entire growing season, from mid-spring (sometimes early spring) through early fall! Wood sorrel has many common names, mostly used by children who love this little plant. Some Ive heard are: lemon clover, lemon grass, sour grass, and sour clover; there are doubtless others.
| Creeping yellow wood sorrel, nearly identical, also edible |
Similar looking plants The most likely plant to confuse with sorrel is black medic, related to alfalfa, and a more distant relative of common clover. Like wood sorrel, black medic (Medicago lupulina) has 3-part leaves and yellow flowers. But notice it has oval-shaped leaves, with only a very small indent in the top, leaf edges are also serrated. The flower is also different from that of sorrel. Black medic is generally considered edible, but should be eaten cooked, as it may have long-term damaging effects when eaten raw, in large amounts. It should also be avoided by pregnant women. Members of the alfalfa family have 3-part, oval leaves serrated leaf edges. Some clovers also have serrated edges, but to be absolutely safe, beginners should avoid them. If you encounter another small, three-leaved plant, with smooth leaf edges, it’s a safe-to-eat clover.
The only potentially dangerous similar looking plant would be a Hepatcia or a woodland Anemone. (
| Either Hepatcia americana, or Anemone hepatcia. |
Trifoliate weeds commonly found in lawns – oxalis, black medic, and clover
FAQ
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