Common name: Creeping tick trefoil
Creeping tick trefoil is a small prostrate herb commonly found around fallow lands and road-sides in India. The plant spreads around the ground forming large mats which are no more than a few centimeters high from the ground. The leaves are trifoliata and hairy with an entire margin. The leaflets are obovate and notched at the tip. White streaks can be seen on the leaflets. The stem of the plant is pinkish with long white hairs. The leaflets measure less that a centimeter in length. The inflorescence is axillary with a few flowers. The flowers are bright pink in color. The pods are about 1.2 cm long. The plant covers ground quickly by frequently rooting at nodes- hence useful in soil conservation. Additionally it improves the soil fertility by fixing nitrogen via root nodules. It is the larval host plant for Lesser grass blue butterfly.
