This species of clover is native to most of Europe, excluding the Arctic zone, and western Asia, in plain or mid-mountain habitats up to 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) altitude.

Like all clovers, its leaves are trifoliate, divided into three slender, sessile leaflets 1–2 cm long and 3–5 mm broad, sometimes edged with small hairs and finely serrated.

Pollination is carried out by bees, or via autogamy, since the plant is hermaphroditic, and the flowering season is from mid-spring to late summer.

Trifolium arvense is native to Europe and has been introduced to North America where it now appears throughout the eastern United States, southern Canada, and the western part of the U.S. along the Pacific Coast.

The nitrogen fixing ability of Trifolium arvense depends on the size of nodule attach in the root system of legume.

The sizes of nodule showing the positive correlation with the composition of community of microorganisms which are responsible for nitrogen fixing.

However, due to the hairy flowers of Trifolium arvense, if a horse or other livestock were fed with too much of them, abdominal obstruction may be caused leading to death.

Trifolium arvense can be easily controlled in small scale field like home garden by hand-pulling, cultivation or using mulch.