Origin:
Native to Eurasia, but introduced as a forage crop, and now grown extensively as animal feed. Often escapes or is seeded along roadsides by transport, becoming established in waste places and roadsides.
Biology:
A perennial with a long taproot, propagating by seeds. Plants mature in the summer.
Identification:
Mature plants are erect and bushy, growing over 3 feet high, or spreading widely over the ground on weak stems. They are extensively branched from the base and along the stems. Leaves are small, dark green, and divided into 3 oval leaflets. These are slightly toothed at their margins at the outer third of the leaflet. The terminal leaflet has a short stalk. Flowers are bluish to violet, and arranged in clusters of numerous individual flowers at the end of a long stalk that arises from the stem nodes.
Characteristicts Important to Control:
A perennial with an extensive taproot.
