Clover

Clover, familiar small plant (genus Trifolium) that grows wild in lawns and pastures and along paths and roads. Some U.S. clovers are natives, others have been introduced from Europe. The red clover, a native of Europe, is the state plant of Vermont. Clover leaves are normally divided into 3 parts, although more divisions are known; 4-leafed clovers are said to bring good luck. Clover is grown as forage and for hay. It is particularly valuable because, like other members of the pea family, its root contains nitrogen-fixing bacteria, so it enriches the soil if plowed back in.