Family: legumes (Fabaceae)
Flowering time: June–August
Size: 15–40 cm
Habitat: dry meadows, sparse groves, roadsides
The upright stem of golden clover (Trifolium aureum) is usually branched. At the tip of the shoots of this annual or biennial plant, in summer, dense inflorescences of small bright yellow flowers develop. Cylindrical inflorescences are 10–15 mm wide and up to 20 mm long, consisting of between 20 and 40 flowers. The sulfur-yellow corolla is 5–7 mm long and browns after blooming. The upper corolla leaf, in legumes called the banner, is spoon-shaped and lobed (the top shallowly notched). For its small trifoliate leaves it is characteristic that all leaflets (including the middle one) are more or less sessile. The leaflets of the clover are lanceolate; at the base they are not expanded.
Golden clover thrives on moderately fertile soils with a medium amount of humus. It prefers bright and warm locations. It is widespread across almost all of Slovenia, but avoids high mountains and dense forests.
