Trefoil vs. Clover — What's the Difference?

Any plant with leaves divided into three parts.

A plant genus known for its trifoliate leaves, Trifolium.

A design element in architecture featuring three lobes.

Used in agriculture to fix nitrogen in the soil.

A motif consisting of three overlapping rings.

A frequent subject in folklore and mythology.

A general term in botany for three-leafed plant forms.

Commonly associated with luck, especially the four-leaf variety.

Used symbolically in various contexts to represent trinities.

Emblematic in various cultural contexts.

A trefoil (from Latin trifolium 'three-leaved plant') is a graphic form composed of the outline of three overlapping rings, used in architecture and Christian symbolism, among other areas. The term is also applied to other symbols with a threefold shape.

Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus Trifolium (Latin, tres "three" + folium "leaf"), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution with highest diversity in the temperate Northern Hemisphere, but many species also occur in South America and Africa, including at high altitudes on mountains in the tropics.

Any of various plants of the pea family, chiefly of the genera Trifolium and Lotus, having compound trifoliolate leaves.

Any of various herbs of the genus Trifolium in the pea family, having trifoliolate leaves and dense heads of small flowers and including species grown for forage, for erosion control, and as a source of nectar for honeybees.

An ornament, symbol, or architectural form having the appearance of a trifoliolate leaf.

Any of several other plants in the pea family, such as bush clover and sweet clover.

Any of several plants of the pea family, having compound, trifoliate leaves; especially one of the genus Trifolium.

Any of several nonleguminous plants, such as water clover.

A symbol having the shape of such leaves, especially when used as an architectural ornament.

A plant of the genus Trifolium with leaves usually divided into three (rarely four) leaflets and with white or red flowers.

(topology) trefoil knot

(cartomancy) The second Lenormand card, representing hope, optimism and short-term luck.

Any plant of the genus Trifolium, which includes the white clover, red clover, etc.; - less properly, applied also to the nonesuch, or black medic. See Clover, and Medic.

A plant of different species of the genus Trifolium; as the common red clover, Trifolium pratense, the white, Trifolium repens, and the hare's foot, Trifolium arvense.

An ornamental foliation consisting of three divisions, or foils.

A plant of the genus Trifolium

A charge representing the clover leaf.

Any of several Old World herbs of the genus Medicago having small flowers and trifoliate compound leaves

A plant of the genus Trifolium

An architectural ornament in the form of three arcs arranged in a circle

Clover is specifically valued in agriculture for its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, improving soil health.

In heraldry, trefoil is used as a symbol of areas like trinity and is featured in various coat of arms designs.

Yes, trefoil often represents broader symbolic themes like trinities, while clover specifically symbolizes luck, particularly through the four-leaf variant.

In design and symbolism, trefoils can refer to patterns or motifs that are not directly related to plants.

Trefoil can refer to various plants used decoratively in landscaping for their attractive three-part leaves.

Red clover and white clover are widely used in farming due to their effective nitrogen-fixing capabilities and adaptability.

Yes, all clovers are trefoils as they have leaves divided into three parts, but not all trefoils are clovers.

Clover is most commonly found in temperate regions and is frequently used in fields and pastures for grazing.

By fixing nitrogen in the soil, clover helps reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, promoting sustainable farming practices.

Yes, clover has been used in traditional medicine for various ailments, though it is less common today.

Besides improving soil health, clover helps in weed control and provides habitat and food for pollinators.

Trefoil arches and other architectural elements often incorporate three-lobe designs, symbolizing trinity and unity.

Trefoil motifs are used in modern design for their aesthetic and symbolic value, often in logos and graphic elements.

While rare, some cultivars and techniques can increase the likelihood of producing four-leaf clovers.

Most clover species are perennials or biennials, meaning they can live for two or more years under ideal conditions.