An introduced annual clover species, native to Europe, Asia and North Africa. Erect plants up to 60 cm with narrow trifoliate leaves. Inflorescence is a cylindrical spike of flowers, each flower has a calyx of sepals with long hairy needle-like lobes that harden into bristles as the plant dries; within each calyx is a pink corolla about a centimetre long. Pollinated mostly by bees.

Valued for forage and pasture improvement and use as a nitrogen-fixing green manure.

Colonizes disturbed areas such as road-sides, pastures and coastal areas.