Yellow Owl-Clover

About Yellow Owl-Clover

Yellow Owl-Clover is a captivating annual that brings a burst of sunshine to the late summer prairie. This upright plant, typically growing 4 to 12 inches tall, is characterized by its fuzzy, glandular leaves and striking spikes of bright canary-yellow flowers. The blooms are nestled within leafy bracts, giving the plant a unique, textured appearance. Interestingly, Yellow Owl-Clover is a hemiparasite, meaning it can photosynthesize on its own but also derives supplemental water and nutrients from the roots of neighboring grasses and forbs. Native to much of western and central North America, it thrives in open grasslands and dry to medium-wet prairies. Its nectar-rich flowers are a favorite of bumblebees and other long-tongued pollinators. Because it is an annual, it relies on seed production to return each year, so allowing the seeds to mature and drop is essential. It is a wonderful choice for adding diversity and a splash of late-season color to a sunny, well-drained native planting or meadow.