A herbaceous perennial, native to Europe and central Asia. Prostrate, mat-forming plant up to 12 cm tall, spreading 30 cm or more by stems that root freely at the nodes. Leaves are trifoliate, smooth and usually with light or dark markings. Heads of whitish flowers up to 2 cm across, often with a tinge of pink or cream that may come on with the aging of the plant. Visited by Carpenter bees and Honey bees.

It has been introduced worldwide as a forage crop for livestock and is used as a cover crop due to its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil.