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Side by side
What tells them apart
Both have three leaflets and purple flowers. Clover makes a dense round head and hides its pod; alfalfa makes loose clusters and its pod coils in a clearly visible spiral.
Harmless confusion
How to tell it
Three elongated leaflets toothed only at the tip, the middle one on a longer stalk. Purple-blue flowers in short tight clusters. The pod coils in two or three complete turns, like a spring, and that is the definitive sign.
How to tell it
Three leaflets with a pale crescent mark, on upright hairy stems. A large purplish pink flower head, cradled by two leaves clasping it from below.