Trifolius
/try-FOH-lee-us/🏷️ Taxonomy● Basic
Also known as: trifolia, trifolium
A morphological epithet describing a plant with leaves divided into three leaflets — the trifoliate leaf that is the diagnostic feature of clovers, trefoils, and many legumes. Appears as trifolius (masculine), trifolia (feminine), or trifolium (neuter).
Etymology
From Latin tri- (three) + folium (leaf).
Example
“Trifolium (the clover genus) takes its entire name from this concept, and Trillium — though named for its three petals — shares the same three-part structure implied by the trifoliate epithet.”